FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban ahead of the United States' Round of 16 game against Belgium sparked plenty of debate. While fans and pundits debated the controversial ruling, Zlatan Ibrahimović had everyone in the FOX Sports studio laughing.
As the panel discussed FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's one-match ban, Thierry Henry brought up the surprising news. Without missing a beat, Zlatan smiled and joked, "I made some calls." The comment immediately drew laughter from Henry and the rest of the panel, with the former Sweden striker clearly poking fun at the speculation surrounding the decision.
The joke came after FIFA's independent disciplinary panel overturned Balogun's automatic suspension, allowing the U.S. striker to face Belgium despite his straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The decision fueled debate, especially after reports, including from The Guardian, claimed the White House had "lobbied FIFA to lift Folarin Balogun's suspension." FIFA President Gianni Infantino requested a review of the incident, something FIFA says did not influence the disciplinary panel's ruling.
After a review under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, FIFA's independent disciplinary panel suspended Balogun's automatic one-match suspension, placing him on a one-year probationary period instead. The red card remains on his disciplinary record, meaning any similar offense during the probation period could result in further sanctions.
Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code grants FIFA’s judicial bodies the discretionary power to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure, effectively placing the sanctioned individual or entity on probation.
