FIFA has confirmed that U.S. Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun will serve a one-match suspension following his controversial red card in the team's recent victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun received the disciplinary action for an incident in the second half of the match, which will cause him to miss the upcoming game against Belgium in Seattle.
Despite the controversy surrounding the call, FIFA's ruling limits the suspension to a single game, which is the most favorable outcome for the U.S. team, as there is no mechanism for an appeal. Balogun expressed that the infraction was unintentional and suggested that a yellow card would have been a more appropriate consequence.
"It’s important for me to say, first and foremost, it was totally unintentional," Balogun stated Friday. "The choice of the referee was his choice. I don’t think it was the correct choice. I think a yellow card would’ve been fair, due to it not being intentional."
He added, "It’s something that happened; we have to move forward, and I have to accept it."
Balogun has been a key offensive player for the U.S. team in the current tournament, leading the squad with three goals. His absence will be felt in the match against Belgium. However, should the U.S. team advance, he will be available for the quarterfinals.
Former U.S. World Cup player John Harkes has called for FIFA to review its red card rules, citing Balogun's suspension as an example, after he himself faced a suspension for yellow card violations in the 1994 tournament.