FIFA defiant amid Folarin Balogun red card firestorm, says decision is 'nothing new'
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SEATTLE — The FIFA Disciplinary Committee explained its decision to allow United States star Folarin Balogun to play in the World Cup round of 16 despite earning a red card that would have resulted in a suspension, determining it did not bend rules over the controversy while noting the striker will have to pay a fine.
The explanation came less than four hours before USMNT and Belgium are set to play for a spot in the quarterfinals.
FIFA’s committee said it opened disciplinary proceedings on Balogun one day after he earned a red card in the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina when he stepped on the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. It decided he did violate FIFA codes related to suspension of red card, as well as for entering the field of play with teammates after the match. As a result, Balogun was suspended and imposed a $40,000 fine.
While it should have meant Balogun sits out against Belgium, the committee said it applied Article 27 of its disciplinary code, “under which it has discretion to suspend the implementation of any disciplinary measures, and ordered that the implementation of the one-match suspension be suspended for a probationary period of one year.”
So, Balogun doesn’t have to immediately serve the suspension, instead under a one-year porbabtion period where the suspension is in order if he commits “another infringement of a similar nature and gravity” within the next year.
There is precedent for situations like this, notably Cristiano Ronaldo elbowed a player during World Cup qualifications. He was a handed a three match ban that would have cost him two games in the 2026 World Cup, but FIFA suspended the penalty, clearing him to play the entire group stage. Two other players Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina and Moises Caicedo of Ecuador — had one game suspensions lifted from World Cup play.
FIFA defended its decision to allows Balogun to play, noting it didn’t reverse the red card but decided to use its discretion of when it would be enforced.
“Reviewing the legal consequences of red cards in football is nothing new in the modern game. For instance, in the majority of top-tier leagues belonging to UEFA-affiliated member associations – the overturning of red cards is a common disciplinary measure, yet this has never raised concerns about crossing any “red line,'” it said.
“It should be emphasized that in the decision under scrutiny, the red card was not overturned. Suspending the effects of a red card based on an explicit provision of the applicable regulations is a much more balanced measure.”
The decision to allow Balogun to play has infuriated Belgium’s national soccer federation, especially with President Donald Trump admitting he lobbied FIFA president Gianni Infantino to reverse the suspenion. FIFA allowed Belgium the opportuntity to appeal the suspension of Balogun’s ban, but hours before kickoff, the organization decided Belgium didn’t have standing to challenge the decision, officially clearing the way for Balogun to play.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FIFA defiant amid Folarin Balogun red card firestorm, says decision is ‘nothing new’
