🚨 FIFA revokes Balogun's red card and generates controversy
FIFA revoked the red card of American player Folarin Balogun, allowing him to participate against Belgium in the round of 16, which generated a strong reaction from the Belgian Football Federation.
The controversy only increases. This Sunday night, FIFA announced that Folarin Balogun, sent off after a VAR review during the United States' round of 16 game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be available for the US team against Belgium this Monday at 5pm Seattle time! "In accordance with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the application of the automatic suspension of the American player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year," explained the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in an official statement published on the body's website. A controversial decision that was celebrated by the White House on X and by Donald Trump on his social network, Truth. The Belgian Football Federation, naturally, responded in a scathing statement: "The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is stunned by FIFA's decision to declare American player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the United States-Belgium match scheduled for this Monday, July 6, at 5pm (Seattle time)." FIFA bases its decision on article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the application of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. However, article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code makes it clear that a red card (expulsion) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as occurred with all red cards previously shown during this FIFA World Cup. Furthermore, and regardless of the above, this decision directly contradicts the provisions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Regulations as set out in article 10.5: "If a player or member of the coaching staff is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second warning), he will be automatically suspended for his team's next match. Furthermore, additional sanctions may be imposed." The automatic nature of such suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in 2026 FIFA World Cup Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. This rule is reiterated in all 2026 FIFA World Cup match coordination meetings prior to each game and appears in all workshop presentations dedicated to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and preserve the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both during this World Cup and in future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is considering all possible options. The atmosphere is tense... As a reminder, the round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium is scheduled for the night of Monday to Tuesday, at 2am French time.
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