The controversy that threatened to overshadow the World Cup last-16 tie between Belgium and the United States ultimately proved a sideshow as the European side cruised into the quarter-finals with a comfortable win over a defensively sloppy USA. The match was shrouded in debate over the presence of US striker Folarin Balogun, who had been sent off in the previous round but was inexplicably allowed to play.
Balogun received a straight red card for serious foul play after a video assistant referee review in the USA's last-32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Replays showed his foot catching an opponent's upper ankle, triggering an automatic one-game ban despite widespread criticism that the sending off was harsh. Under World Cup rules, there is no opportunity for nations to appeal a red card, so it appeared that US coach Mauricio Pochettino would have to make do without his star striker against Belgium.
“Belgium beat USA as Balogun plays despite red card suspension controversy.”
But out of the blue, FIFA chose to suspend the one-game ban for a year, keeping the red card on his record but leaving him eligible for the round of 16. The governing body justified its intervention by citing Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which allows a judicial body to fully or partially suspend disciplinary measures. However, critics argue this directly contradicts Article 66.4 and Tournament Article 10.5, which state a sending-off automatically mandates a next-match ban.
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed complete astonishment, calling the U-turn a direct contradiction of fair play. Yet on the pitch, the controversy made little impact. Belgium eased past a defensively sloppy United States, setting up a quarter-final tie with Spain. For the US, the debate over Balogun's eligibility will linger long after their exit.