United States striker Folarin Balogun is available for the World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on Sunday in an unprecedented move following a call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Balogun scored his third goal of the World ?Cup in United States¡¯?2-0 win over Bosnia but was shown a red card in the second half for planting his boot ?into the ?ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. The 25-year-old was sent off after a VAR review, with U.S. coach Mauricio ?Pochettino saying it was never a red card offense.
Trump called Infantino to ask world soccer¡¯s governing body to review the sending-off, according to a source briefed on the call. FIFA is allowing Balogun to play without rescinding the red card.
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