Why FIFA is allowing USMNT star Folarin Balogun to play vs. Belgium despite World Cup red card suspension

The U.S. men’s national team and Folarin Balogun can thank Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code as the reason for why the star striker will be available in the Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday.

Balogun, who was shown a red card in the Round of 32 and suspended one game without an option to appeal in a controversial ruling, had that suspension reversed Sunday around 30 hours before arguably their clash with a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals at stake.

According to Article 27, “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”

Balogun’s probationary period will last one year, according to FIFA, and if he commits something similar during that stretch, “the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement,” the article states.

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So that means Balogun will need to operate with caution, with an understanding that the fact he — and by extension the USMNT — was saved once doesn’t mean it could happen again.

Balogun, who gave a USMNT 1-0 lead against Bosnia-Herzegovina, was fighting for a ball with Tarik Muharemovic when his foot made contact with the area around Muharemovic’s ankle.

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But the play appeared to lack intent and appeared similar to other moments — including one from Argentina’s Lionel Messi — that didn’t draw a red card, prompting plenty of uproar.

“I don’t know when Balo found out,” defender Chris Richards told reporters Sunday. “If he knew before us, he kept it quiet. I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first, but I think we’re really excited. We found out through social media. … I thought it was AI and stuff. There’s a lot of people posting a lot of stuff. So, we weren’t sure if it was true or not.”

But it was, with an article buried on page 27 of the disciplinary code injecting new life into the USMNT’s World Cup dreams — and possibly serving as one of the most critical rulings in U.S. soccer history if they keep winning.