JUST IN: FIFA clears Balogun for USA-Belgium World Cup clash

FIFA has cleared United States forward Folarin Balogun to play in the country’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium after overturning the suspension that followed his controversial red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun, who scored the winning goal in the USA’s Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, had been sent off later in the match, triggering an automatic one-match suspension.

However, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee reversed the suspension ahead of Monday’s knockout fixture in Seattle after determining that the implementation of the disciplinary measure should be suspended, as reported by Fox Sports on Sunday.

The decision came despite the fact that the United States Soccer Federation had no formal avenue to appeal the red card under FIFA regulations.

According to reports, the incident became contentious because the Video Assistant Referee intervened and asked Brazilian referee Raphael Claus to review the challenge using the pitch-side monitor, even though Balogun had not initially been cautioned on the field.

Reacting to the development, the U.S. Soccer Federation welcomed the decision.

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“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow.

“Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans,” the federation said in a statement issued via Fox football analyst Stu Holden.

Balogun has been the United States’ leading scorer at the tournament with three goals.

FIFA’s decision is in line with Chapter 4, Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which states that a judicial body “may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”

The code further provides that if a player benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature during the probationary period, the suspension may be revoked and the original sanction enforced in addition to any new disciplinary measures.

Balogun’s availability is expected to boost the United States as it seeks a place in the quarter-finals against Belgium.