FIFA Defends Balogun Decision Without Explanation

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee president issued a statement just over two hours before the match, explaining that the suspension was lifted "considering all specific circumstances and available evidence." However, the statement failed to detail what those circumstances or evidence were, leaving many questions unanswered. palladian.co.za

Balogun, who would have been suspended due to a red card received in the previous round, was allowed to start for the US against Belgium in a decision that appears to have been made at FIFA's discretion without transparent reasoning.