FIFA has controversially lifted Folarin Balogun’s suspension, clearing the USA striker to face Belgium in Monday’s World Cup Round of 16 clash.
Balogun had been expected to sit out the knockout fixture after picking up a red card, but FIFA unexpectedly overturned the ban, according to Yahoo Sports.
The ruling echoes a similar case involving Cristiano Ronaldo, who received a three-match suspension for a red card in Portugal’s penultimate World Cup qualifier. FIFA enforced just one match immediately, deferring the rest under a one-year probation period, freeing Ronaldo to play at that tournament.
The Balogun decision suggests FIFA retains discretion under its disciplinary rules to defer or withhold suspensions. FIFA has not publicly explained its reasoning, but the outcome confirms Balogun is eligible to start against Belgium.
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