FIFA used a little-known rule to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card suspension for Monday night's Round of 16 game against Belgium.
The U.S. striker was hit with a very controversial red card in the 64th minute of last week's Round of 32 win over Bosnia. Per FIFA rules, Balogun was set to miss the Round of 16 game against Belgium. Multiple reports indicated that the U.S. would not be able to appeal and potentially overturn the red card suspension.
However, on Sunday morning, FIFA announced that Balogun had been deemed eligible to play.
"USA striker Folarin Balogun will be available to play in the co-host’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday at Seattle Stadium. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee issued an update on Sunday on the status of the 25-year-old New York-born attacker, who has three goals for the Stars & Stripes at these global finals," FIFA announced.
© Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.
The U.S. is happy, of course, as the entire American team felt that the red card was the wrong decision in the moment.
"Obviously the referee made a decision that he made, but I think it’s questionable," Weston McKennie explained. "I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all. It’s disappointing."
But how was FIFA able to overturn the decision? By using a "little-known, unique rule."
A little-known rule allowed for FIFA to make the change
A longtime rule, titled Article 27, the "Suspension of Implementation of Disciplinary Measures," allowed for FIFA to review the automatic red card suspension, and ultimately opt to delay it for at least a year.
Balogun will be eligible on Monday night, though the red card technically has not been entirely rescinded. It's just been delayed.
"By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one [1] year," FIFA said.
Article 27 says that "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."
Balogun needs to avoid another red card. If he gets one, "that suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."
But he's good to go on Monday night, at least.
