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FIFA Suspends One-Game Ban on Folarin Balogun for World Cup Match
FIFA suspended the red-card ban on United States forward Folarin Balogun on Sunday. The move makes him eligible for Monday's round-of-16 game against Belgium at 8 p.m. ET in Seattle.
FA
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FIFA suspended the one-game ban imposed on Folarin Balogun on Sunday, making the forward eligible for the United States' World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Lumen Field in Seattle.
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Balogun leads the United States with three goals in the tournament, including the winner in a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus issued the straight red card after video review for stepping on an opponent's foot, though no foul was called on the field.
FIFA cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend the sanction and place Balogun on a one-year probationary period.
U.S. Soccer accepted the disciplinary committee's decision. The team learned of the suspension on the way to training Sunday morning. Balogun had stated two days earlier that he disagreed with the red-card decision but accepted it and believed a yellow card would have been fair.
President Trump posted on Truth Social that FIFA had reversed a great injustice. Landon Donovan said the decision restored justice and noted that Balogun should never have been sent off. He added that the action is not unprecedented, citing a similar case involving Cristiano Ronaldo during World Cup qualifying.
Christian Pulisic said the team was happy to have its leading scorer available.
