FIFA cancels Folarin Balogun ban before Belgium last-16 tie | OneFootball

FIFA cancelled Folarin Balogun’s suspension on Sunday, clearing him for Tuesday’s World Cup last-16 tie between Belgium and the United States, kick-off 2am in France.

According to AP, the White House directly contacted FIFA to seek the sanction’s reversal. The New York Times reports that President Donald Trump personally called his counterpart at the governing body.

Balogun had been shown a straight red in the previous round against Bosnia, a match that finished 2-0. The annulment was made under article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, making the forward available to face Belgium.

The reported call could have prompted FIFA’s disciplinary committee to take up the case, since in this scenario teams cannot appeal and the panel may only act on its own initiative.

Trump thanked FIFA for correcting what he described as a grave injustice. Belgium said it was stunned by the decision and is reviewing all potential options.

Source: L'Équipe