FIFA issues fresh statement explaining reasons behind Folarin Balogun red card decision

As Folarin Balogun is confirmed to lead the line for the USA in their Round of 16 tie against Belgium, FIFA has issued a new statement on its ruling of his 'suspended' red card, following backlash from the wider footballing world.

With the USA gearing up for their biggest 'soccer' match of all time, taking on an in-transition Belgium side for a place in the last eight, Folarin Balogun has been named as the starting striker, despite being sent off in his last game.

The 25-year-old striker has been the subject of mass controversy following his red card in a 2-0 win over Bosnia at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 2.

Having accidentally raked his studs down the calf of his opponent, Balogun was shown red, which looked to be a bitter blow for the US with their talisman having enjoyed a fruitful World Cup so far.

But after intervention from lawyers sent from the White House, a phone call from Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has allowed the one-match ban to be suspended for one year, citing Article 27 of its disciplinary code as its precedent.

The decision has caused mass uproar from pundits like Wayne Rooney, who slated the decision as an 'absolute disgrace', leading the Belgium FA to launch an appeal to this 'April Fools' decision.

Yet with an hour until kick-off, FIFA has now released a new statement that defends its decision to suspend the red card ban, claiming that the association has 'discretion' to implement these unprecedented measures.

FIFA defends 'dormant' red card suspension, rejecting 'manipulation' claims

Balogun starts for the USA alongside Christian Pulisic and Serginio Dest in the forward areas, despite head coach Mauricio Pochettino being urged to take matters into his own hands by refusing to play the striker.

Poch hasn't heeded these calls and has named his strongest team with their flagship goalscorer, setting up a tie that promises fireworks.

According to TalkSport correspondent Ben Jacobs, FIFA has issued a statement which rejects claims that his manipulated the rules, saying that it has every right to 'suspend the implementation of any disciplinary measures'.

"Under Article 27 of the FDC, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has the discretion to suspend the implementation of any disciplinary measures so long as they do not relate to match manipulation," the statement reads.

"The exercise of such discretion is fully consistent with the general guiding principles for the determination of the applicable disciplinary sanction pursuant to Article 25 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

"[The ban] remains dormant during the probationary period and will only be activated if he commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity."

Jacobs pointed out that no 'reason' has been given aside from having the 'discretion' to make such rulings.

Read Next: Zlatan Ibrahimovic slammed for his response to FIFA suspending Folarin Balogun's red card

The Round of 16 match will be one of the most explosive games of the tournament as the USA look to unsettle the European nation whose international tournament history has been disappointing.

With Belgium's 'golden age' stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Axel Witsel, and Thomas Meunier all named on the bench, they will likely try to pad out the second half with experience, while USA will throw caution to the wind infront of their home fans.