Folarin Balogun will be available for the United States\u2019 World Cup last-16 match against Belgium after FIFA overturned the one-game suspension that was triggered by a red card issued during the team\u2019s Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old received a straight red for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovi\u0107 as the co-hosts progressed with a 2-0 win. FIFA confirmed that the automatic ban will be suspended for a probationary period lasting one year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn accordance with article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the application of the match suspension has been suspended for a probationary period of one year,\u201d FIFA said in a statement. \u201cShould Folarin Balogun commit another breach of a similar kind and level of seriousness during the probationary period, the suspension will be lifted and the original sanction will take effect, without prejudice to any extra measure that may be applied for the new offence.\u201d<\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump hailed the decision on Truth Social, writing: \u201cThank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.\u201d<\/p>\n
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier urged that the ruling be revisited. Speaking at a news conference when asked about the United States\u2019 World Cup run, Rubio said: \u201cIt was great. They got screwed with that red card. There needs to be an appeal process for that. It\u2019s probably too late for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Balogun has been a key figure for Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s group at the tournament. He scored twice in a 4-1 opening victory over Paraguay and then added the first goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the 64th minute, he was shown a red card following a challenge on Muharemovi\u0107 as he tried to shield the ball; his boot appeared to catch the back of the Bosnian defender\u2019s ankle as the incident played out. The referee issued the dismissal after a pitchside review using the video assistant referee\u2019s footage.<\/p>\n
Under FIFA rules, a red card leads automatically to suspension for the next match, though FIFA can apply further penalties if it chooses. That discretion went the opposite way during the group stage, when Qatar\u2019s Assim Madibo saw his one-game ban increased to five matches for a foul on Canada\u2019s Ismael Kone, who suffered a broken leg.<\/p>\n
Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he is not the same player he was in his prime, but insisted he remains ready to respond to the criticism that has followed him for years, saying critics have been \u201ctrying to kill me for the past 23 years\u201d.<\/p>\n
The 41-year-old Portugal forward was in a mix of moods\u2014bold, playful and reflective\u2014on the eve of the last-16 clash with Spain at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, a venue he described as the site of what will be his final World Cup.<\/p>\n
One of the game\u2019s greatest talents, the former Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid star declined to give a timeline for when he would stop playing international football.<\/p>\n
However, when repeatedly asked about what comes next and the mounting criticism he has faced in recent seasons, Ronaldo acknowledged: \u201cI am not the player I used to be\u201d.<\/p>\n
Still, the attacker and Portugal captain pushed back on any suggestion he is fading, saying: \u201cI am not doing too bad.\u201d He pointed to three goals in North America\u2014two against Uzbekistan in a 5-0 group-stage win and a penalty in the 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32.<\/p>\n
Enjoying the attention from journalists who keep probing his future, he told reporters: \u201cIt\u2019s been like this since I was 18, it is not going to change.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always put body and soul trying to get our goals \u2013 playing or not playing, I will always have an important role to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I said before, (I will stop) when I choose, not when you choose, you always ask the same question.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to draw attention to this because it is less important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronaldo said this has been the World Cup he has enjoyed most, highlighting the \u201cemotions\u201d it has brought him both on the pitch and away from it.<\/p>\n
When asked again about his international future, he replied: \u201cYou have been trying to kill me for the past 23 years, but you must have seen that is not worth it, it\u2019s a waste of time, but you try and try and try and try and try.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so used to this,\u201d said the veteran, who is the leading goalscorer in the history of international football.<\/p>\n
After being applauded from the press conference, Ronaldo added: \u201cI am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also reflected on how age affects perspective, saying: \u201cAge gives you maturity and experience to see how relative things can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI even say thanks for the attacks I feel after I turned 40\u2026 the criticism is how you grow, so thank you for doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronaldo even singled out a reporter, saying: \u201cI know he does not like me\u201d and inviting him to ask a question.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo speak to you, some of you, those who do not like us especially \u2013 I remember people\u2019s faces very well,\u201d he said with a grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, I am going to be honest: whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with a clear conscience \u2013 not 100 percent but 1,000 percent because in life and football I gave everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to the Texas meeting with Spain\u2014an opponent he considers a second home after his Real Madrid years\u2014Ronaldo conceded Portugal will be the underdogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a very hard battle,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need a lot of faith, we need to run and we need to be brave.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Folarin Balogun will be available for the United States\u2019 World Cup last-16 match against Belgium after FIFA overturned the one-game suspension that was triggered by a red card issued during the team\u2019s Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 25-year-old received a straight red for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovi\u0107 as the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2798,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"FIFA Decision: Balogun Eligible for US vs Belgium","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Folarin Balogun is cleared to face Belgium in the World Cup last-16 after FIFA overturns his red-card suspension, setting a one-ye","mma_seo_breadcrumb_text":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_url":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_hide_ui":"","mma_seo_breadcrumb_labels":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n