(FOLHAPRESS) - Striker Folarin Balogun is released to play for the United States in the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, which takes place this Monday (6), in Seattle.
FIFA revokes suspension for red card and releases US top scorer for round of 16; Trump celebrates
(FOLHAPRESS) - Striker Folarin Balogun is released to play for the United States in the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, which takes place this Monday (6), in Seattle. The FIFA Disciplinary Commission...
The FIFA Disciplinary Commission suspended the effects of the red card received by the player in the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun, the American team's top scorer with three goals in the tournament, had been sent off in the 64th minute of the match. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus reviewed the move in VAR and decided to be expelled, after the attacker stepped on the ankle of Bosnian Tarik Muharemovic.
The expulsion generated an automatic suspension of a match, as provided for in the competition regulations. FIFA, however, applied article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows the entity to totally or partially suspend a sanction.
"In application of article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the execution of the automatic one-match suspension of the United States player, Folarin Balogun, is suspended for a probationary period of one year," the entity said in a statement this Sunday, without explaining exactly the reason for the decision.
This means that Balogun will only serve the suspension if he commits a new offense of a similar nature and severity within this 12-month period.
A similar case happened to Cristiano Ronaldo in the qualifiers, but with a fundamental difference. After a red card against Ireland, he received a three-match suspension, but had the one for the last two games lifted for a one-year probationary period. However, the automatic one-game suspension was fulfilled.
Shortly after the expulsion, FIFA and American federation officials stated that the automatic suspension could not be appealed.
The decision had repercussions even in the White House. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, the first winner of the FIFA Peace Prize, celebrated the attacker's release on social media this Sunday. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice," he wrote on Truth Social.No X, the White House profile shared the statement and celebrated.
With three goals and three assists in three games played at the World Cup, Balogun also accumulated a yellow card in addition to the canceled red card. The United States could reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 if they beat Belgium.
Classic between Portugal and Spain shakes up the round of 16 of the World Cup this Monday
Monday will feature Portugal x Spain, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal facing each other, as well as the United States x Belgium. The winners of the two clashes will face each other in the quarter-finals of the World Cup
Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Esporte
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