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FIFA disciplinary committee fines USMNT's Folarin Balogun $40,000, defends postponing red card suspension by 1 year
Yahoo Sports • • general
Key Points:
- FIFA fined U.S. striker Folarin Balogun $40,000 for his red card offense and subsequent re-entry onto the field to celebrate, with the United States Soccer Federation jointly liable for the fine.
- Balogun's one-match suspension, originally set for the Round of 16 match against Belgium, has been delayed by one year under a probationary period; if he commits a similar offense within that time, the suspension will be enforced alongside any new penalties.
- The disciplinary committee applied Article 27, allowing them discretion to alter disciplinary measures, and emphasized that the red card itself was not overturned, only the suspension was deferred.
- FIFA faced criticism and confusion over the handling of the case, with Belgium's appeal denied and U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino stating the team had been "punished enough."
- The decision reflects FIFA's attempt to balance disciplinary actions while maintaining the integrity of the regulations, citing precedent for such probationary suspensions in past cases.
