Folarin Balogun Available For Round Of 16 Match Vs Belgium After FIFA's Ban U-Turn

United States striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the USMNT’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium after FIFA suspended the one-match ban, a consequence of his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun was shown a straight red card during the group-stage victory after a VAR review deemed his challenge on defender Tarik Muharemović to be serious foul play. Under FIFA tournament regulations, the dismissal carried an automatic one-match suspension.

However, according to The Athletic, FIFA’s judicial body has opted to suspend the implementation of the sanction, allowing the 25-year-old forward to feature in Monday’s knockout fixture in Seattle.

The decision is permitted under Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code, which

allows disciplinary measures to be fully or partially suspended during a probationary period.

“The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years,” the law says.

Referee Raphael Claus initially allowed play to continue before being sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR. After reviewing the incident, he upgraded the punishment to a straight red card for serious foul play.

The red card drew strong criticism from the U.S. camp, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino insisting there was no intent to harm the opponent, while captain Christian Pulisic described the sending-off as ‘so harsh.’

Balogun’s availability provides a major boost for the United States ahead of their last-16 encounter.

He has been one of the United States’ standout performers at the tournament, recording at least one goal contribution in every World Cup appearance so far. The former Arsenal youngster has started all but one of the team’s matches, scoring twice against Paraguay before adding another goal against Bosnia.