USMNT’S top scorer at the World Cup, Folarin Balogun, has been cleared to play against Belgium in the round of 16.
FIFA is suspending the one-game suspension he received after a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which gives Mauricio Pochettino’s side a welcome boost as they look to push on towards July 19th.
The news came as a surprise, especially after many FIFA officials claimed an appeal would not be possible.
Since then, President Donald Trump has come out in support of the decision, extending a personal thanks to the governing body headed by his close associate, Gianni Infantino.
Donald Trump and Christian Pulisic react to Balogun news
Since Trump came into office, he and Infantino have developed a close relationship — to the point where 50 or so Ministers of European Parliament have penned an open letter to FIFA questioning whether they are abiding by the organisation’s political neutrality policy.
Infantino will surely have had a hand in the ban being suspended for one full year.
The White House’s X account reposted Trump’s statement, where he wrote: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The decision to send the US striker off was a controversial one. When compared to similar challenges seen throughout the tournament, it didn’t look especially severe.
But while public opinion has largely favoured Balogun, it doesn’t make this any less of an unusual call.
Article 27 of FIFA’s disciplinary code states that “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure,” with a similar case being Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspended ban for the start of the tournament.
As Christian Pulisic put it to The Athletic: “Obviously for us it gives us a boost.”
A boost indeed. The 25-year-old has been lights out for the US team so far, and will be hoping to extend his run of form against Belgium on Monday night.
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