Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Folarin Balogun's one-game red-card suspension for a foul against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been suspended, allowing him to play in the USMNT's World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium.
- The red card, given for a serious foul on Tarik Muharemovic, normally carries an automatic one-game ban under FIFA rules, which typically cannot be appealed.
- However, under FIFA's disciplinary code, suspensions can be partially or fully suspended on probation, similar to the case of Cristiano Ronaldo's prior World Cup ban.
- Balogun has been a key player for the US, scoring in multiple games, and his red card decision was widely criticized by teammates and analysts as harsh and unintentional.
- The US faces Belgium at 8pm ET on Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle, with Balogun now available to contribute in this crucial knockout match.
