Balogun's red card ban suspended by FIFA loophole, freeing him for USA vs Belgium

Folarin Balogun will be free to face Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 in Seattle on Monday after FIFA suspended his one-game ban under Article 27 of its disciplinary code, according to The Athletic.

The 25-year-old Monaco striker was shown a straight red card during the USA’s Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina after Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic at the VAR monitor. A red card automatically triggers a one-match suspension, and it had initially appeared there was no avenue for appeal.

However, Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code grants judicial bodies the power to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.” The provision includes a caveat: should Balogun commit another infringement of a similar nature during the probationary period, the suspension would be reinstated alongside any additional sanction.

The ruling follows a precedent set by Cristiano Ronaldo, who avoided serving the opening game of a World Cup after FIFA handed him a three-match ban with the final two games suspended under a one-year probation period.

Balogun has been one of the tournament’s standout forwards, scoring three goals in the competition so far. He netted twice in the USA’s opener against Paraguay and added another against Bosnia in the first half before his dismissal. He has registered at least one goal contribution in every World Cup game he has played.

USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino made clear after the Bosnia match that he did not believe the red card was warranted. “For me? Never a red card,” he said. “Never an intention to step on the player. It was a normal action in football that happened by accident.”

Captain Christian Pulisic echoed that frustration. “It’s just so unfortunate, honestly,” he said. “Looking back at it, it just seems so harsh. I just told him, he’s done so much for us, and now we got his back.”

Balogun’s availability is a significant boost for Pochettino as the tournament co-hosts look to advance to the quarter-finals against a Belgium side they will face in Seattle on Monday.