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Explaining Balogun's World Cup red card suspension and why it's controversial
This evening should be an exciting moment for football in the United States as they prepare to face Belgium in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Taking place in the football hot bed Seattle, Mauricio Pochettino's side are slight favourites with a home crowd getting behind them, however, this match has been overshadowed by a decision off the field.
USA striker Folarin Balogun was sent off in the last 32 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina, which usually results in at least a two-match suspension.
However, on Sunday, it was announced that Balogun will be able to play after his red card was suspended.
DAZN News explains what happened and the reaction to a continuing developing story at football's biggest tournament.
Why was Balogun's red card suspended?
When Balogun was shown a red card in the Round of 32, the FIFA disciplinary code states that he should receive a ban of "at least two matches for serious foul play". In this case, Balogun was set for a one-match ban.
Teams are also unable to appeal against red cards at a World Cup, meaning the referee's decision is usually final.
However, when it was confirmed that Balogun's red card had indeed been suspended, FIFA cited Article 27 of their disciplinary code as their reasoning.
This article allows FIFA "to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure", and it is the first time it has been used at a World Cup.
Reaction to Balgoun red card suspension
This is a story which has generated plenty of reaction, and USA manager Mauricio Pochettino was pleased with the news that his first-choice striker would be available.
“Everyone that really loves the sport and trusts ethics and integrity, I think we celebrate all that decision,” Pochettino said.
“We were punished enough against Bosnia Herzegovina to play with 10 men for 30 minutes [because of] a decision that was completely unfair. … 99.9% of people agree there was an unfair red card.”
USA manager Pochettino reacts to Balogun red card suspension
It's safe to say this reaction has prompted backlash with reports confirming that President Donald Trump contacted FIFA on numerous occasions to make Balogun available for selection.
'We're defending football'
USA's next opponents Belgium, did not hold back their thoughts on the decision with manager Rudi Garcia issuing a defiant message.
"I didn't know that [at] the Fifa World Cup 5 July is now 1 April, and that is April Fool's," Garcia said.
"We are not defending the national team or the federation, we're defending football."
UEFA issues critical statement
European football's governing body UEFA issued their own statement about Balogun's red card suspension on Monday morning.
UEFA warned that this decision could set a dangerous precedent for future tournaments and damage football's integrity.
"When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined," UEFA's statement read.
"Equally, such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.
"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."
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