Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleUnited States striker Folarin Balogun has been cleared by Fifa to play in Monday night's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, despite receiving a red card in the Americans' previous 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fifa's disciplinary committee confirmed Balogun's clearance via a probationary measure on Sunday, just a day before the crucial fixture, without offering further explanation for the decision. The decision came amid significant controversy, including reports that Donald Trump directly contacted Fifa president Gianni Infantino regarding the compulsory one-match suspension for red card offences. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) saw its subsequent appeal against the ruling swiftly rejected by Fifa, which stated the RBFA was not a party to the proceedings and therefore had no standing to appeal. Balogun's ban is officially suspended rather than overturned, meaning he would serve the original one-match ban in addition to any new suspensions should he commit a similar offence within the next calendar year in a Fifa-sanctioned match, with the RBFA contesting his eligibility. In fullFifa rejects Belgium appeal over Folarin Balogun ban as USA striker is cleared to play in last-16 matchMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Why Belgium’s appeal over Balogun’s rescinded red card has been dismissed by Fifa
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleUnited States striker Folarin Balogun has been cleared by Fifa to play in Monday night's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, despite receiving a red card in the Americans' previous 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fifa's disciplinary committee confirmed Balogun's clearance via a probationary measure on Sunday, just a day before the crucial fixture, without offering further explanation for the decision. The decision came amid significant controversy, including reports that Donald Trump directly contacted Fifa president Gianni Infantino regarding the compulsory one-match suspension for red card offences. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) saw its subsequent appeal against the ruling swiftly rejected by Fifa, which stated the RBFA was not a party to the proceedings and therefore had no standing to appeal. Balogun's ban is officially suspended rather than overturned, meaning he would serve the original one-match ban in addition to any new suspensions should he commit a similar offence within the next calendar year in a Fifa-sanctioned match, with the RBFA contesting his eligibility. In fullFifa rejects Belgium appeal over Folarin Balogun ban as USA striker is cleared to play in last-16 matchMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
