FIFA suspends Balogun's red card ban, making him eligible for next match

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun will be available for the knockout stage match against Belgium after FIFA suspended his red card ban. Balogun received a controversial direct red card during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.

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Thank you FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice!

The Monaco forward, who is the U.S. team's top scorer with three goals, was sent off in the 64th minute for stepping on the ankle of defender Tarik Muharemovic while contesting the ball. He had scored the opening goal in first-half stoppage time.

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee invoked Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code, placing the mandatory one-year suspension on a probationary period. "If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension will be revoked and the sanction applied, without prejudice to any additional sanction that may be imposed for the new infringement," the statement read.

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For me, it is never a red card. There was never an intention to step on the player. It was a normal action in football that happened by accident.

The decision was met with approval from high-profile figures. U.S. President Donald Trump celebrated on Truth Social, stating, "Thank you FIFA for doing the right thing and reversing a great injustice!" Coach Mauricio Pochettino had argued after the match that it was never a red card, calling the incident an accident. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously called the team "screwed" and urged an appeal.

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If you have played this game, one understands that there are situations that simply cannot be avoided and that must be taken into context when reviewed.

The U.S. Soccer Federation welcomed the decision, expressing pleasure that Balogun is eligible to play. The team had considered the expulsion unjust, and losing their leading scorer for the crucial match against Belgium would have been a significant blow.

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It has to be an appeal process for that. Probably it's already too late for that, right?