…USA Meets Belgium At Seattle in R16 Game on Monday.
Good news coming to the United Staes of America as FIFA has waved aside the red card issued to Nigerian born striker, Folarin Balogun and he is now eligible to play against Belgium in the round of 16 match on Monday 6th July if selected by his Manager.
Ref Raphael Claus had flashed him a straight red in the 64th minute before a crowd of 68,827 fans at the Levis Stadium in Santa Clara for stamping on Bosnia Defender, Tarik Muharemovic which demands a one match suspension.
A statement from FIFA on Sunday overturned the red card on the Arsenal forward who is a regular for the Yankees team of USA.
Acting on Article 27 of it’s Disciplinary Code, FIFA wrote, “The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year”.
The statement also said, “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement”.
Balogun it was learnt from unconfirmed sources in the American camp will be on parade against Belgium whose leading striker, Romelu Lukaku looks in body shape like Folarin and charges like bulls against opponents Defenders on Moday at Seattle. Both players will be a wonder to watch.
Balogun scored 3 goals so far, a brace against Paraguay in the group opener: one against Bosnia in R32 game. His 3 goals tie him with Landon Donovan at 2010 world cup as second most goals scored by an American in a single Men’s world cup tournament.
USA is co hosting this tournament with Canada and Mexico.
By Eniola Olatunji
Reporting for Patmos Media Line.
