The backlash at the FIFA World Cup continues after the sport’s governing body suspended the one-match ban of United States striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun’s red-card suspension stemmed from a challenge in the Round of 32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The controversial booking came after an alleged misuse of VAR slow-motion replay and led to the Monaco striker being sent off.
On Sunday, just over 24 hours before the USMNT’s Round of 16 match against Belgium, FIFA invoked Article 27 of their Disciplinary Code and cleared Balogun for play.
Article 27, titled ‘Suspension of Implementation of Disciplinary Measures,’ reads as follows: ‘1. The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. 2. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.’
While American fans and soccer pundits have been celebrating the news, the decision – and the rule used to delay the suspension – has been blasted by football minds around the world.
This includes Norway coach Ståle Solbakken, who stood in solidarity with Belgium and criticized the ruling after defeating Brazil to advance to the quarterfinals.
The football world is still pushing back against the reinstatement of USA star Folarin Balogun
Norway boss Ståle Solbakken called the decision a ‘bad decision that will hurt the World Cup’
Belgium has been granted an appeal, with a decision set to be made before the match
‘I have to be honest, I think that’s a big mistake by FIFA,’ Solbakken said following Norway’s 2-1 victory. ‘I think it is not a great conclusion.
‘[Balogun] got a red card and the VAR concluded that it was a red card. He was sent off. That means you are suspended for one game.
‘I think what is really bad about that situation is it will be [hanging] over the United States now. Because if they beat Belgium, it will always have that extra thing about it.
‘Maybe he scores a goal, maybe he plays a good game, and the Belgians will be furious.’
Not only is there an issue with the sporting aspect of the decision, the revelation that US President Donald Trump called FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and asked him to review the red card has led to fears of what precedent this sets for this and future World Cups.
‘What about the next red card? What happens then? Is there gonna be some committee somewhere that takes that card away?’ Solbakken said.
‘It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup. … It was not good for the sport or a good decision by FIFA.’
At the 11th hour, Belgium has been granted the right to appeal the decision by FIFA – which could see Balogun sidelined once again.
