SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 6 (San Francisco News Online) — FIFA has cleared U.S. forward Folarin Balogun to face Belgium after suspending his one-match red-card ban for a one-year probationary period, keeping the striker available for Monday’s World Cup round-of-16 game in Seattle.
In a statement, FIFA said the suspension could be revoked if Balogun commits another infringement of similar nature and gravity during the probationary period. The red card came in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the decision and said it viewed the move as contrary to FIFA rules. U.S. Soccer said it accepted the ruling and was pleased with the outcome.
Multiple reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with the conversation, said President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked him to review Balogun’s suspension. The reports said FIFA relied on Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows a match ban to be suspended for one year.