FIFA suspends Balogun's red card ban to free him for USA's round of 16 clash with Belgium

Folarin Balogun has been cleared to face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 after FIFA suspended the one-game ban that had threatened to rule him out of the United States’ knockout opener.

The Monaco striker received a straight red card in the USA’s final group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, catching Tarik Muharemovic with a studs-up tackle. Under Article 10.5 of FIFA’s tournament regulations, the offence carries an automatic one-game suspension — a sanction that would have kept him out of the Belgium tie.

FIFA had previously stated that neither teams nor players could appeal red cards or suspensions at this tournament. However, according to The Athletic, the suspension has been cancelled, with FIFA yet to release a formal statement explaining the decision.

The governing body’s disciplinary code does contain a provision allowing for suspended sanctions. It reads: “The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

The ruling is a significant boost for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Balogun has been one of the USA’s standout performers at the tournament, contributing three goals and an assist across three group-stage appearances.

Belgium, coached by Rudi Garcia, advanced from their group after edging Senegal 3-2 in their own round of 16 fixture.