By Joke Kujenya
FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE de Football Association (FIFA) has suspended the automatic one-match ban imposed on United States (US) striker, Folarin Balogun, following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, making him available for Monday’s World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced the decision on Sunday, saying it had applied Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code to suspend the implementation of Balogun’s mandatory suspension under a probationary period.
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the United States’ 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review found he had stepped on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic. FIFA classified the challenge as serious foul play.
Although the red card remains on the 25-year-old’s disciplinary record, the suspension will not take immediate effect. Under the probationary arrangement, the sanction will be enforced if Balogun commits another similar disciplinary offence during the specified period, in addition to any new punishment.
The decision is a major boost for the United States ahead of its knockout tie. Balogun has been the team’s leading scorer at the tournament with three goals in four matches and scored before his dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
US Soccer welcomed the ruling, saying its attention remained on the match against Belgium.
“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” the federation said in a statement. “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.”
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that Article 27 allows FIFA’s judicial bodies to fully or partially suspend the implementation of disciplinary sanctions under specified conditions.
The provision has been used in previous cases to defer suspensions while placing players under probation.
As scheduled on FIFA match fixtures, the US will face Belgium on Monday for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals, with Balogun now available for selection.
—
