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The ruling body FIFA has suspended a suspension of United States national team striker Folarin Balogun which makes him eligible to play against Belgium in the World Cup last 16 on Monday.
The decision was welcomed by the US team and the nation's president, Donald Trump, while Belgium said they were "astonished" by the ruling and were "investigating all potential options."
The Athletic later reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with whom he is on friendly terms, to have the ban nullified.
Neither FIFA not the White House have commented.
Balogun was sent off for a challenge on Bosnia-Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemovic after a video review during Wednesday's last 32 match.
That automatically leads to a suspension for one match but the disciplinary committee of the ruling body said on Sunday: "In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
"If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.
It is the first time at this World Cup that a player is not suspended after seeing red, and Trump welcomed the decision.
"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP," the president said on his Truth Social platform.
FIFA had also used article 27 when it suspended the final two matches of a three-game ban for Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo which he normally would have had to serve in the first two World Cup games against Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) meanwhile said it was "astonished" by the FIFA decision and said the ruling body had acted against its own general and World Cup rules.
"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options," it said.
The RBFA cited the World Cup rule: "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed."
It said that "the automatic nature of such a suspension" was reiterated on several official occasions in the run-up to the tournament.
Monaco's Balogun is a key forward for the US team along with Inter Milan's Christian Pulisic and has scored three goals so far at the World Cup.
The incident with Muharemovic was widely deemed a hard challenge but not intentional, including US coach Mauricio Pochettino who recieves a big boost now that he can field Balogun after all on Monday.
“We accept the decision of the disciplinary committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” US Soccer said.
"Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”
The Garrincha case in 1962
Balogun's situation is not the first time a red card suspension is overturned during a World Cup.
In 1962, Brazil star Garrincha was sent off during the semi-finals against Chile and was expected to be suspended for the final.
However, in a very controversial decision - astonishingly backed by Jorge Alessandri, who was Chile's president at the time - Garrincha was allowed to play in the fixture against Czechosloavakia, which Brazil won 3-1 to take the title.
Back then, however, there was no automatic ban. It was decided by committee with evidence given by the officials.
Continue reading...
The decision was welcomed by the US team and the nation's president, Donald Trump, while Belgium said they were "astonished" by the ruling and were "investigating all potential options."
The Athletic later reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with whom he is on friendly terms, to have the ban nullified.
Neither FIFA not the White House have commented.
Balogun was sent off for a challenge on Bosnia-Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemovic after a video review during Wednesday's last 32 match.
That automatically leads to a suspension for one match but the disciplinary committee of the ruling body said on Sunday: "In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
"If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.
It is the first time at this World Cup that a player is not suspended after seeing red, and Trump welcomed the decision.
"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP," the president said on his Truth Social platform.
FIFA had also used article 27 when it suspended the final two matches of a three-game ban for Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo which he normally would have had to serve in the first two World Cup games against Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) meanwhile said it was "astonished" by the FIFA decision and said the ruling body had acted against its own general and World Cup rules.
"In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options," it said.
The RBFA cited the World Cup rule: "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed."
It said that "the automatic nature of such a suspension" was reiterated on several official occasions in the run-up to the tournament.
Monaco's Balogun is a key forward for the US team along with Inter Milan's Christian Pulisic and has scored three goals so far at the World Cup.
The incident with Muharemovic was widely deemed a hard challenge but not intentional, including US coach Mauricio Pochettino who recieves a big boost now that he can field Balogun after all on Monday.
“We accept the decision of the disciplinary committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” US Soccer said.
"Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”
The Garrincha case in 1962
Balogun's situation is not the first time a red card suspension is overturned during a World Cup.
In 1962, Brazil star Garrincha was sent off during the semi-finals against Chile and was expected to be suspended for the final.
However, in a very controversial decision - astonishingly backed by Jorge Alessandri, who was Chile's president at the time - Garrincha was allowed to play in the fixture against Czechosloavakia, which Brazil won 3-1 to take the title.
Back then, however, there was no automatic ban. It was decided by committee with evidence given by the officials.
Continue reading...
