- Folarin Balogun was sent off following a VAR review in USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, meaning he was set to serve a one-match ban at the World Cup.
- However, following an intervention by US president Donald Trump, Fifa announced on Sunday that Balogun’s ban has been suspended.
- Belgium, who are due to face the US in the last-16 on Monday night, said they were “astonished” by Fifa’s decision, while the ruling has also been criticised by Uefa and former Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
- The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) had its subsequent appeal against the ruling swiftly rejected by Fifa, which stated the RBFA was not a party to the proceedings and therefore had no standing to appeal.
- Therefore, Balogun is free to play on Monday, and looks set to start after scoring three goals in USA’s four matches at the World Cup.
