Folarin Balogun has been fined $40,000 (£29,877) by FIFA for his red card despite his World Cup ban being overturned. The US Men’s National Team talisman was shown a straight red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina for serious foul play and was due to miss their Round of 16 clash with Belgium but his one-game ban has been suspended for one year.
The 25-year-old will be available to play in their next knockout match (Tuesday 1am BST) after a Presidential intervention from the White House to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. But on the eve of the match, the striker has been hit with a hefty fine for two breaches of FIFA regulation, Article 66 of the Disciplinary Code and 14 (misconduct of players related to celebration). Balogun and his controversial red card have hit the headlines after a landmark decision was made to allow him to feature for Mauricio Pochettino‘s side as the co-hosts face a historic showdown with Belgium.
Half of Balogun’s fine is payable by the U.S. Football Federation, with the sanction coming as a result of his red card and entering the field of play after his dismissial to celebrate with his teammates. The manner in which the 25-year-old has been made eligible to play for the game against Belgium has brought the tournament into disrepute. US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he asked FIFA to review the red card, which saw the USMNT sent down to 10 men during their Round of 32 win over Bosnia, where Balogun found the target.
President Trump said: “All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do.”
But now the incident has set a precedent with Belgium angered by the decision. The Belgian FA issued an appeal and saw their request, for an upheaval of the decision be overturned, rejected.
Meanwhile France are said to have appealed Michael Olise’s yellow card following an altercation with Matias Galaraza.during their ill-tempered win over Paraguay. England are weighing up whether to appeal Jarell Quansah’s red card after the Bayer Leverkusen was sent off in the second-half of their 3-2 win
In their correspondence, FIFA maintained that the Disciplinary Committee is independent while stressing that the red card hasn’t been reversed but more so suspended for 12 months. Therefore, should Balogun be sent off or found guilty of any more wrongdoing, he will be the subject of additional disciplinary sanctions.
In the parting bullet point, the organisation said: “Reviewing the legal consequences of red cards in football is nothing new in the modern game. For instance, in the majority of top-tier leagues belonging to UEFA-affiliated member associations – the overturning of red cards is a common disciplinary measure, yet this has never raised concerns about crossing any ‘red line’.
“And again, it should be emphasised that in the decision under scrutiny, the red card was not overturned. Suspending the effects of a red card based on an explicit provision of the applicable regulations is a much more balanced measure.”