US striker Folarin Balogun is available for the Round of 16 after FIFA suspended his automatic one-match ban following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
United States striker Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in his country’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA suspended his one-match ban.
The 25-year-old was sent off during the USA’s group-stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina following a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic, an offence that normally attracts an automatic suspension.
However, FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled that while Balogun will still serve a one-match suspension, its implementation has been suspended for a one-year probationary period under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The decision means Balogun is eligible to face Belgium. FIFA noted that if he commits a similar offence within the probationary period, the suspended ban will be activated alongside any new disciplinary sanction.