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FIFA defers one-game ban on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun but keeps red card on record
The decision clears the 25-year-old forward to play in Monday's World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium. FIFA cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code and placed Balogun on one-year probation.
FA
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FIFA suspended the one-game match ban imposed on Folarin Balogun, clearing the 25-year-old U.S. striker to play in the national team's World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday. Balogun received a straight red card from Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after video review during the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
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No foul was called on the field. He had scored three goals in the tournament, including the winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows a judicial body to suspend implementation of a sanction and place the player on probation for one to four years.
The same provision was applied to defer a suspension for Cristiano Ronaldo before the tournament. FIFA placed Balogun on a one-year probationary period. U.S. Soccer accepted the disciplinary committee's decision and welcomed Balogun's eligibility.
The federation added that its focus remained on the match at Lumen Field in Seattle, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. President Trump posted on Truth Social that FIFA had reversed a great injustice. Landon Donovan, working as a Fox Sports analyst, said the decision restored justice and noted that Balogun should never have been sent off.
Christian Pulisic said the team was happy to have its leading scorer available. Balogun had stated two days earlier that he disagreed with the red-card decision but accepted it, adding that a yellow card would have been fair. The ruling ends a process that began when the team learned of the suspension on the way to training Sunday morning.
