Gary Neville has slammed FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban at the World Cup, claiming the controversial call 'absolutely stinks'. Balogun was shown a straight red card for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic during the USA's round of 32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, meaning he had been in line to miss the co-hosts' last 16 clash with Belgium. However, three days on from the USA's win, FIFA confirmed that Balogun's ban would be suspended for a year, a decision which has left the Belgian Football Association 'astonished' and 'investigating potential options' by way of response.
FIFA's statement and probationary period
'In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,' FIFA's statement read. '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.'
Pundits react: Neville, Keane, and Wright condemn the decision
Reacting to the news in the ITV studio, the channel's all-star punditry panel of Neville, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane condemned the decision. Keane stated: 'It seems unfair because it is unfair. You've got to look at the opposition team in terms of their preparation and it seems like a bit of a pal's act shall we say.' Neville went a step further, claiming he would be 'absolutely raging' if he was in Belgium's camp. 'It absolutely stinks, let's be really clear,' Neville said. 'But what I would say, the thing that stinks the most is there should be a review process in place because I actually didn't think it was a red card. I think there should be a process which allows it to be overturned, but if there's no process for it to be overturned and then somehow FIFA, from nowhere, have decided to basically let a player play… and the rules are the same for everybody. I would be absolutely raging if I was Belgium and every other team in the tournament that's had a player sent off that might think it's a little bit hard done by. Do you know something? Are we surprised? No, not with this lot.'
Wright: 'Shameful' episodes at the tournament
Wright said the decision was just the latest in a long line of 'shameful' episodes at this summer's tournament. 'Suspensions are meant to be served during the tournament,' Wright said. 'This one being suspended, it doesn't normally happen, but we're talking about integrity, people talking about transparency, but you look at some of the things that have happened at this tournament with certain teams… it's shameful, especially as he's an American player. Whether he's guilty of what he done, whether we think he should have got the red card or not, some of the things that have happened at this World Cup have been shameful.'
Trump applauds FIFA; Pulisic reacts
US President Donald Trump took to social media to applaud FIFA over the call, thanking the governing body for 'reversing a great injustice' ahead of Tuesday's showdown with Belgium in Seattle. USA attacker Christian Pulisic revealed that the squad discovered that Balogun's one-game ban had been suspended on the team coach to training on Sunday. 'Just a big smile on his face and all of ours,' Pulisic said. 'The foul wasn't what it was, it was harsh.'
Balogun's World Cup performance and USA's prospects
Monaco striker Balogun, formerly of Arsenal, has scored three goals at this year's tournament, including the opener in the USA's defeat of Bosnia-Herzegovina prior to his sending off. The winner of USA's upcoming clash with Belgium will face off against one of Portugal's round of 16 tie with Spain for a place in the quarter-finals. The Stars and Stripes have only ever reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup on one occasion since their third-place finish way back in 1930.
