Story perspectives

FIFA Lifts Balogun Ban, Clears U.S. for Belgium Match

7/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

FIFA invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend Balogun’s ban, making him eligible for the U.S. round-of-16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was astonished, noting the ruling conflicted with regulations, while U.S. Soccer and coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the decision as fair.
Former referee Graham Scott criticized FIFA, saying it acted as a law unto itself and ignored recent disciplinary precedents.

History

Historical Context

On 5 July 2026 FIFA used Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, marking the first reversal of a World Cup red-card suspension since the system’s introduction. The move revived tensions seen in the 2006 World Cup, when referee controversies spurred ethics reforms, and drew sharp criticism from the Belgian FA.

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Story summary

FIFA invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend Balogun’s ban, making him eligible for the U.S. round-of-16 match against Belgium in Seattle.
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was astonished, noting the ruling conflicted with regulations, while U.S. Soccer and coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the decision as fair.
Former referee Graham Scott criticized FIFA, saying it acted as a law unto itself and ignored recent disciplinary precedents.

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