USMNT Star Balogun to Face Belgium After FIFA Reverses Red-Card Ban

FIFA reversed the one-game red-card ban given to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun from the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, making him available for the Round of 16 clash versus Belgium. Balogun received the red card in the 64th minute after stepping on the ankle of Tarik Muharemović as he fell, a decision that followed a lengthy review. FIFA previously stated that neither the red card nor the resulting ban could be appealed, but a Sunday statement from FIFA says the automatic match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The reversal allows Balogun to play Monday at Seattle Stadium, where the match starts at 8 p.m. ET. The article also cites precedent for probationary treatment in earlier cases.