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US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations. Molly Riley/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
The ruling body FIFA has suspended a suspension of national team striker Folarin Balogun which makes him eligible to play against Belgium in the World Cup last 16 on Monday.
Balogun was sent off for a challenge on Bosnia-Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemovic after a video review during Wednesday's last 32 match.
That normally brings with it 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 United States President Donald 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.
But 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.
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.”
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