USA Star Folarin Balogun Cleared To Play In World Cup Match vs. Belgium
FOX Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- FIFA has approved U.S. forward Folarin Balogun to play in the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium despite a red card received in the previous game.
- Balogun's red card was controversial and triggered an automatic one-game suspension, but video review protocols indicated the play should not have been flagged.
- The referee did not initially caution Balogun on the field, and FIFA's decision overrides the automatic suspension despite no formal appeal being possible.
- Balogun, who scored the winning goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina, leads the U.S. team with three goals in the tournament.
- FIFA's Disciplinary Code allows the judicial body to suspend disciplinary measures, which was applied in Balogun's case to permit his participation.
