Folarin Balogun's Red Card Ban Rescinded by FIFA, Available for Belgium Match

USA striker Folarin Balogun will play against Belgium in Monday’s last-16 game after Fifa announced it has rescinded the one-game ban he received for a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee said it made the decision in line with Article 27 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code, which allows them to rescind red cards. As a result, Balogun will be on a probationary period of one year. If, during that year, Balogun commits what the code refers to as “another infringement of a similar nature and gravity,” the striker will serve his one-game ban.

Fifa previously used Article 27 to clear Cristiano Ronaldo to start the opening games of Portugal’s World Cup after his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

“We accept the decision of the disciplinary committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” US Soccer said in a statement. “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.”

Balogun received a red card following a seemingly innocuous coming-together with a Bosnia and Herzegovina defender in the last-32 game between the sides earlier this week. No foul was initially called on the play, but the video assistant referee (VAR) recommended a review after seeing that Balogun had stepped on the defender’s ankle. Upon reviewing slow-motion video footage of the incident, the referee issued Balogun a straight red for violent conduct.

The call shocked commentators and the US players and coaching staff, all of whom said the move was unintentional.

“For me? Never a red card,” US head coach Mauricio Pochettino said after the game. “Never an intention to step on the player. It was a normal action in football that happened by accident.”

Fifa and US Soccer officials said at the time that the one-game suspension which accompanies a red card was not able to be appealed.

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Balogun himself said that the experience of being ejected from the game had been “surreal,” and was praised for his general reaction to the red card most perceived as being harshly awarded.

“I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion,” Balogun said. “There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring, little kids, boys and girls who are watching, and we have to show them the correct way to handle things, even when you think it’s unjust.”