FIFA Overturns Ban On U.S. Soccer Star In Massive World Cup Boost For America

A red card ban suspension freed star forward Folarin Balogun to play in the U.S. Men’s National Team’s next World Cup match against Belgium.

Balogun, 25, was initially supposed to sit out the 16th-round match due to a red card he received in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic. FIFA’s tournament rules (Article 10.5) state that a one-game suspension would automatically come with the red card — and the team was not allowed to appeal that decision.

The Athletic reported on Sunday that Balogun may yet be allowed to play due to a provision in Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code — a provision that states “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”

The one-game suspension that should have accompanied Balogun’s red card has been suspended — with one caveat: he risks not only the original suspension but also any sanctions that might be added onto that if he commits another similar infraction during the next match.

“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 regulation states.

U.S. Soccer released a statement reacting to the news, saying, “We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”

Up to the current match, Balogun has started in all but one and has scored at least one goal in each match. He scored twice in the opening game against Paraguay.

Balogun is not the only World Cup star facing disciplinary issues, however. Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a three-match ban, but FIFA suspended the final two games of his suspension.