Seattle, July 6:
The United States received a huge boost ahead of its FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium after striker Folarin Balogun was cleared to play despite an automatic suspension following a red card.
Balogun had been expected to miss the knockout fixture after being sent off in the previous round. However, FIFA reviewed the case and suspended the one-match ban, making him eligible for selection.
The decision followed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider the incident. The development has triggered widespread debate, with supporters calling it a fair correction and critics questioning the timing of the decision
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed the ruling, maintaining that the dismissal was harsh and that his side had already been punished by finishing the earlier match with 10 players. Balogun's return is a significant boost for the American attack as the co-hosts prepare for one of their biggest World Cup knockout matches in recent history.
Belgium, meanwhile, enters the contest amid controversy surrounding FIFA's unexpected decision. The high-stakes encounter now carries even greater attention, with both teams aiming for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment.