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Red-carded USA player reinstated for Monday's game by FIFA

Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban was surprisingly suspended by FIFA, clearing the U.S. forward to play in the team’s World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, a decision that was praised by President Donald Trump.

Balogun, who leads the Americans with three goals, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on a foot of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday.

A red card calls for an automatic one-game suspension but players learned of Balogun’s availability when social media posts started popping up during the 10-minute bus ride Sunday from their hotel to training at the University of Washington.

Trump praised FIFA’s decision. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly made efforts to grow close to Trump, even awarding him a FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw.

Balogun’s red card and suspension for the round of 16 match had been one of the most controversial and consequential decisions of the World Cup.

The U.S. Soccer Federation learned of the decision in a message sent by FIFA in its portal on Sunday morning.

“The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA announced. “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

Balogun’s three goals included one to give the U.S. the lead against Bosnia. He has matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude’s four in the initial tournament in 1930.


(AP Photo Julio Cortez)
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