United States striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium despite being sent off for a straight red card in the previous round, FIFA said on Sunday.
Balogun scored his third goal of the World Cup in the 2-0 win over Bosnia but was shown a red card in the second half for planting his boot into the ankle of Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic.
Probationary Period
The 25-year-old was sent off after a VAR review, with U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino saying it was never a red card. FIFA has suspended the implementation of the match suspension for a probationary period of one year.
If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the decision, saying ‘Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice’ on social media.
U.S. Soccer accepted the decision, stating they are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete in the upcoming match.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
