World Cup bosses wipe out red card for US striker Balogun on eve of Belgium tie

The decision to lift the one-game ban emerged the day before the US take on Belgium for a place in the quarter-finals.

Fifa, which has been staging the competition since 1930, said its decision relied on Article 27 of disciplinary committee rules.

“The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure," the rule states.

"By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.”

Balogun to play against Belgium

Balogun will be able to play in the game against Belgium at the Seattle Stadium but will serve the one-game ban if he were to be sent off again within a year.

The American president, Donald Trump, hailed the move on social media.

“Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” 

DRC boss Desabre hails squad's fighting spirit in England defeat

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was astonished by the decision.

"Fifa bases its decision on Article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code," said a RBFA spokesperson.

"This provision states that the Fifa disciplinary committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction.

"However, Article 66.4 of the same Fifa disciplinary code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this Fifa World Cup."

Tournament regulations

The spokesperson said the decision was in direct contradiction with the provisions of the tournament's regulations.

"As set out in Article 10.5: 'If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match,'" the RBFA added.

Balogun, who plays his club football for the French Ligue 1 side Monaco, has scored three goals in the American surge to thelast 16.

The US head coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed Fifa's decision.  “We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina to play with 10 men for 30 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair,” said the 54-year-old Argentine.

'Focus on the game'

Rudi Garcia, the Belgium head coach, Belgium, said he was surprised at the decision but would concentrate on the match which could send a Belgium side to the last eight for the second time in three tournaments.

 "I am a head coach, I will focus on my team on the game regardless of the 11 starting players from the US," said the 62-year-old Frenchman.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals in Russia in 2018, said: "They have 11 players too. There's not only Balogun. We just have to be on the pitch and do what we do, play football and try and win this game."

US quest for last eight

The US last reached the quarter-finals at the World Cup in 2002. The co-hosts will go into the game as slight favourites following group stage wins over Paraguay in Los Angeles and Australia in Seattle.

Kane strikes twice to break DRC and fire England into last-16 against Mexico

Belgium drew against Egypt and Iran before beating New Zealand to top Group G.

In their last 32 tie against Senegal, Belgium were down by two goals before Senegal imploded and allowed Belgium to win 3-2.

The Belgians will also have battle against fervour of the home fans.

"Seattle has been unbelievable in hosting us," said US midfielder Tyler Adams.

"So it's exciting to come back to a place and to know that we can expect that same energy again in the biggest moment in our careers."