The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed its astonishment Sunday regarding FIFA's decision to suspend the red card suspension for U.S. Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun. The ruling allows Balogun to be available for the World Cup Round of 16 match scheduled for Monday.
FIFA based its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which permits the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. However, the RBFA pointed to Article 66.4 of the same code, which states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, a precedent followed for all previous red cards issued during the current World Cup.
The association also referenced Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which it claims echoes a similar stipulation. To uphold the rights of participating teams and the principles of fair play, the RBFA is examining all potential courses of action.
Instead of serving the suspension, Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament, received a probationary period of one year. If he commits another infraction within this period, the suspended red card ban will be revoked, and the sanction enforced, without prejudice to any additional penalties for the new infringement, according to Article 27.
Balogun received the red card during the Round of 32 match on July 1, when his foot made contact with the ankle area of Tarik Muharemovic. The USMNT striker's availability for the upcoming match marks a significant development following the disciplinary review.