Balogun cleared for USA’s last-16 tie as Fifa suspends red card ban

Folarin Balogun will be available for the United States’ World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after Fifa suspended the one-match ban he picked up for a straight red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The 25-year-old was dismissed for a foul on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic during the co-hosts’ 2-0 win in the last 32, which would ordinarily have ruled him out of the next fixture under Fifa’s automatic sanction rules.

However, football’s world governing body confirmed the suspension has been paused for a probationary period of 12 months rather than being served immediately.

What Fifa said

In a statement, Fifa explained the legal basis for the decision. “In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” the statement read.

Fifa added a warning over any repeat offence during that window. “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,” it said.

The ruling means Balogun escapes an immediate suspension but will carry the threat of it being reinstated should he be sent off in similar circumstances before the probationary year is up.

A key figure for Pochettino’s side

Balogun, who came through Arsenal’s academy before moving on, has been central to Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking plans at this World Cup. He scored twice as the USA opened their campaign with a 4-1 win over Paraguay.

He also put the USA ahead against Bosnia-Herzegovina before being shown a straight red card in the 64th minute of that last-32 tie, which the USA went on to win 2-0.

Political interest in the case

The decision drew comment from senior figures in the US government. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social thanking Fifa for what he described as “reversing a great injustice”, writing: “Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier called for the red card to be reviewed. Asked about the USA’s World Cup campaign at a news conference, Rubio said: “It was great. They got screwed with that red card. There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that.”

With the suspension lifted for now, Balogun is set to be involved as the USA continue their World Cup run against Belgium in the last 16.