FIFA Allows Balogun to Play Against Belgium Amid Red Card Controversy

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences: Folarin Balogun, the US striker, has been cleared to play against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 after FIFA suspended the implementation of his red card.

The 19-year-old Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, with the initial assumption being that he would automatically miss the Round of 16 against Belgium. However, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee relied on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code to allow Balogun to play.

Article 27 gives the committee discretion to suspend the implementation of a disciplinary sanction for a probationary period. In this case, the punishment still exists, but FIFA decides not to enforce it immediately. Think of it like a court saying: 'You have a one-month sentence, but it is suspended for one year.'

That doesn't mean you serve the month later automatically. Instead, Balogun has to behave for the next year, and if nothing happens, he never serves it. But if he commits another disciplinary offence of a similar nature during the one-year probation, the suspended punishment can be activated.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump lobbied Fifa to lift the US striker's one-game ban for a red card received in the team's win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sources have told the Guardian that Trump made three calls to Fifa, starting from Wednesday, to ensure that the change was made.

Belgium's football federation argues that Article 27 conflicts with the World Cup regulations that make red-card suspensions automatic. They believe that Article 27 should not have been used to avoid the mandatory suspension in the middle of the tournament.

The Royal Belgian FA stated that the nation's position is that the decision undermines sporting fairness and that they will defend football after FIFA's controversial decision. Has FIFA ever done this before? Yes, they used Article 27 to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play despite a red card suspension.

The US team has been boosted by the news, with Balogun's inclusion in the starting lineup against Belgium on Monday night. But the decision has sparked heated debate, with many questioning the fairness of the ruling.