U.S. star Folarin Balogun eligible to play vs. Belgium after FIFA suspends red card ban

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun has been reinstated for the team’s round-of-16 match against Belgium on Monday after he earned a red card in the previous round, FIFA announced Sunday.

Balogun was shown a controversial red card Wednesday during the U.S.’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina to start the knockout stage. The card came after replay review showed him inadvertently stepping on the back of the leg of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemović.

A red card typically means a player is not only sent off in the match he’s playing in, but also suspended for the following one. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee, an independent judicial body that reviews plays it deems warrant a closer look, reviewed Balogun’s foul and decided to suspend the suspension.

“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,” FIFA said in a statement. “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.”

Belgium’s soccer federation blasted the ruling, saying it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and arguing that it contradicts both FIFA’s disciplinary code and the tournament’s competition regulations, which say a red card “automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match.”

President Donald Trump took to social media to praise the decision.

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” he said.

According to a source familiar with the matter, Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to review Balogun’s suspension. FIFA has not said whether the call played any role in the decision.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it is “investigating all potential options.”

U.S. Soccer said in a statement it was “pleased” that Balogun would be available for the team’s next match.

Balogun found out about the decision in a team meeting Sunday, a source familiar with the situation said.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has made similar rulings in the past, as recently as last year, when Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-game ban was shortened to a one-game suspension plus probation.

The initial decision to show Balogun a red card was swiftly met with criticism from the U.S.

“For me, never is it a red card,” head coach Maurice Pochettino said following the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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He added: “If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are, you know, fighting for the ball and your feet land, no?”

The U.S. was also not able to appeal the decision, leaving Balogun’s fate in the hands of the disciplinary committee.

“I think in this stage of the tournament where every player is important, I think it’s a bit bogus,” U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie said of the situation.

Christina Unkel, a referee and rules analyst who once worked as a FIFA referee, told NBC News this month the foul should not have been reviewed in the first place because it was not clear and obvious.

“It was a bit of a surprise that VAR actually made a recommendation down for what one would argue is more of a subjective play, that there is debate on both sides,” Unkel said.

Balogun, 25, has been a breakout star for the U.S. during the World Cup.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents, he was in the U.S. only because his parents were visiting New York and his mother was deemed too pregnant to fly back to London.

After having played for England during his youth career, Balogun ultimately decided to play for the U.S. when he had to pick a country for the senior level.

Balogun has credited U.S. fans for his strong start to the tournament, which included two goals in the team’s opening match against Paraguay.

“I’ve always said the fans gave me so much motivation. They showed me so much support,” Balogun said after the U.S.’ World Cup opener. “For me, the most important thing has always been to repay that. Today is a great opportunity, and I just want to show the fans I made the right decision.”

Christian Pulisic said that night: “He’s lethal right now in front of the goal. We’re really lucky to have him. Let’s hope it keeps going like this.”

Balogun leads the U.S. in the World Cup with three goals after he also scored in the win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The team next plays Belgium in Seattle on Monday night.