FIFA lifts Folarin Balogun suspension, boosting US ahead of Belgium clash
Folarin Balogun will be allowed on the field for the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium on Monday after FIFA suspended his one-game ban Sunday.
Balogun, the Americans’ leading scorer with three goals, was shown a red card during Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on the foot of Tarik Muharemović. The ejection would have forced him to miss the Belgium match on Monday.
Instead, FIFA placed the suspension on hold for a one-year probationary period. If Balogun commits a similar offense during that time, the one-game ban will be reinstated in addition to any new discipline.
Nicole Buss
The Sacramento Bee