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FIFA has cleared United States forward Folarin Balogun to play in Monday's World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee suspended Balogun's automatic one-game red card suspension and placed him on a one-year probation under Chapter 4, Article 27 of the disciplinary code. While the decision ensures the co-hosts will have their leading scorer available, FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas believes the late ruling creates a specific narrative surrounding the team.
"Long live article 27. If you've got a problem with it, take it up with FIFA," Lalas said during the broadcast. "This is some surprising, but very, very welcome news to the US men's national team."
The decision has drawn those who question the fairness of the rule application. Lalas acknowledged that other nations are likely to view the decision as favorable treatment for the Americans.
"I will say this: it is now USA vs. The world after this decision, because any support or a treaty or benefit of the doubt kind of just went out the window with this, because we will be seen after this, and we're already starting to see, some of this as being given special treatment right now, but you know what, it doesn't matter, us against the world, that's fine."
The controversy stems from the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun scored the game-winning goal but was later shown a straight red card following a VAR review. Standard protocols suggest the play should not have been flagged to referee Raphael Claus, who had not cautioned Balogun on the field during the live sequence. Because U.S. Soccer had no formal avenue to appeal the decision under standard regulations, the governing body stepped in directly to apply the probation clause.
Beyond the banter, the timing of the decision remains a primary point of criticism. The ruling was confirmed just one day before the knockout match, forcing both coaching staffs to adjust their plans.
Thierry Henry, who coached Belgium as an assistant manager during two separate stints from 2016-2018, noted that the reversal places an unfair burden on the Belgian side, which had spent days planning for an American lineup without its primary striker.
"That's exactly what it is for Belgium, breaking news. That must have broke their spirit a tiny bit because also you prepare the game to play a certain way and then suddenly, you have to change also your preparation of the game," Henry explained.
Lalas agreed with the Belgian perspective, but he said the USA squad shouldn't take it into account.
"I do agree with you that it hurts the preparation for for Belgium. [and] what they prepared for, and now they're going to have to change it," Lalas said. "But I don't think Mauricio Pochettino cares."
With Balogun returning to the starting lineup and Ricardo Pepi likely reverting to the bench, Lalas concluded that having the full complement of attacking players is necessary to advance.
"In order for the US to win this game tomorrow, right here against Belgium, they need all guns blazing, and without a gun in Flo Balogun, that was a big, big miss," Lalas explained. "Happy to see this guy who's had such a wonderful tournament, and we don't want to be deprived of stars, and make no mistake, he is a star."
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