FIFA Clears Balogun to Face Belgium
The decision to overturn the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun has sparked debate after FIFA confirmed he will be available for his country's Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the FIFA World Cup. Balogun had been sent off during the United States' victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32, a dismissal that would normally result in an automatic one-match suspension. However, FIFA's disciplinary committee reversed the sanction, allowing the striker to return immediately. The ruling is considered highly unusual. Throughout World Cup history, players who receive red cards have almost always served the mandatory suspension. Of the 189 red cards recorded in the tournament's history, only two players have avoided missing the following match. The first instance dates back to the 1962 World Cup, when Brazil's Garrincha was dismissed in the semi-final against Chile but was […]