The United States caught an enormous break on Sunday.
FIFA gave USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, the team's leading goal scorer at this World Cup, a rare reprieve for the controversial red card he received on July 1 in the team's 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. By rule, Balogun was to sit out the next match, a Monday night showdown against Belgium in Seattle in the Round of 16.
But on Sunday, FIFA announced it has essentially suspended that suspension, invoking Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which says FIFA's "judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure."
So Balogun is good to go—a huge boost for the U.S. attack.
"We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow," U.S. Soccer said in a statement. "Our full attention is on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans."
FIFA gave USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, the team's leading goal scorer at this World Cup, a rare reprieve for the controversial red card he received on July 1 in the team's 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. By rule, Balogun was to sit out the next match, a Monday night showdown against Belgium in Seattle in the Round of 16.
But on Sunday, FIFA announced it has essentially suspended that suspension, invoking Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which says FIFA's "judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure."
So Balogun is good to go—a huge boost for the U.S. attack.
"We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow," U.S. Soccer said in a statement. "Our full attention is on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans."
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