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Norway manager Stale Solbakken has slammed Fifa for making a big mistake in overturning the suspension for the United States striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun was sent off in the USA’s 2-0 World Cup win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge on Tarik Muharemovic.
But United States President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly made a call to Fifa and the forward’s punishment was downgraded to a suspended ban for one year, making Balogun eligible to face Belgium on Monday.
The Belgian FA have complained and Solbakken, whose Norway side beat Brazil to reach the quarter-finals, called it a “bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision”.
He warned that if the USA beat Belgium their victory will be tarnished and worried about the precedent it sets.
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Folarin Balogun of the United States attends a training session (Getty)
Solbakken said: “I think that is a big mistake by Fifa, I think it is not a great conclusion that he has got a red card and the VAR concluded it was a red card, he was sent off, that means you are suspended for one game and I think what is really bad about that situation is it will be only United States now.
“Maybe he scores a goal or plays a good game and Belgium will be furious. What about the next red card? Is there going to be something that takes that card away. Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision. For the United States, that will always hang in the balance if they win so not good for the sport.”
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