FIFA suspends Balogun ban before U.S. match against Belgium

Folarin Balogun is available for the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium after FIFA paused his one-match suspension. The decision gives the U.S. men’s team access to its striker for Monday’s knockout game in Seattle, U.S. Soccer said.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee announced the decision Sunday, according to NPR. Balogun had been facing a one-game ban after receiving a red card in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

NPR reported that Balogun was sent off for stepping on the ankle of Bosnia-Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemović. The match was a round-of-32 game played in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, according to the Associated Press photo caption published with NPR’s report.

Balogun had also scored the United States’ first goal in that game, according to the Associated Press caption. The win moved the U.S. team into the next round, setting up Monday’s match against Belgium.

FIFA did not erase the punishment entirely. The disciplinary panel said the suspension will be held back for a one-year probation period, NPR reported.

Under FIFA’s ruling, Balogun risks having the suspended ban restored if he commits another offense of a similar seriousness during that year. FIFA said any restored punishment would come in addition to any new sanction tied to a later incident, according to NPR.

U.S. Soccer said it accepted the disciplinary committee’s decision and welcomed Balogun’s availability for the Belgium match. The federation said its attention had shifted to the round-of-16 game in Seattle and thanked fans for their support.

The ruling changes the U.S. lineup picture one day before a knockout match. Without the suspension in effect, Balogun can be selected by the United States for a game that will decide whether the team advances in the World Cup.

This story draws on original reporting from NPR.