US President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask him to reconsider the one-game suspension handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun after his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, The New York Times reported Sunday, citing three people familiar with the matter.
United States striker Folarin Balogun will be available for their World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium despite being sent off for a straight red card in their win over Bosnia in the previous round, FIFA said on Sunday, reversing its previous decision.
Balogun scored his third goal of the World Cup in the 2-0 win but was shown a red card in the second half for planting his boot into the ankle of Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic, leaving the US to navigate the remainder of the game a man down.
The 25-year-old was sent off after a VAR review, with US coach Mauricio Pochettino saying it was never a red card.
” … the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said in a statement.
“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.”
US Soccer, Trump accepted the decision
The judicial body has the discretion to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary sanction.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice,” US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social.
US Soccer accepted the decision.
“(We) are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” it said in a statement.
Balogun’s teammates said they only found out via social media on their way to training.
“We found out about it just coming over here,” American forward Christian Pulisic told reporters.
“At first, you’re like, ‘Oh really, is this real?’ And then ‘Oh, this is great news’.”
Belgium ‘astonished’ by FIFA decision
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision to declare Balogun eligible to play in the match, pointing to the rule book while it investigated all potential options.
“FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction,” the RBFA said.
“However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup.”
It said the decision was in direct contradiction with the provisions of the tournament’s Regulations.
“As set out in Article 10.5: ‘If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match,'” the RBFA added.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was able to play his side’s opening World Cup matches after FIFA suspended the final two games of a three-match ban last year when he was sent off in their penultimate qualifying match against Ireland.
Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was handed a five-match ban after receiving a red card for a tackle that seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismael Kone during a group match at the tournament.
Source:
www.jpost.com
