Forward Folarin Balogun (R) has become eligible for the United States' World Cup Round of 16 meeting with Belgium after his FIFA suspended his red card ban. File Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
July 6 (UPI) -- UEFA joined a cast critical of FIFA's decision to suspend U.S. player Folarin Balogun's red card, saying Monday that the move "crossed a red line."
The governing body of European soccer cited concerns about the "integrity of the game" and the "credibility of competition." FIFA announced Sunday that Balogun would be available for the United States' Round of 16 game with Belgium.
Balogun received his red card in the second half of a Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an ejection and automatic one-game suspension for the next round.
But on Sunday, FIFA said that the ban would be suspended for a "probationary period of one year." Belgium and players and coaches from other teams also criticized that revised ruling.
