rewrite this title Wayne Rooney labels USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s suspended red card decision an ‘absolute disgrace’ during FIFA World Cup coverage 

Former England striker Wayne Rooney has slammed USMNT attacker Folarin Balogun’s suspended red card decision, making him available for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash with Belgium on Monday (July 6) in Seattle.

Balogun opened the scoring in the 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina last week. However, a tackle on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle saw the 25-year-old sent off by referee Raphael Claus after a VAR review with 26 minutes left.

However, in an unusual turn of events, FIFA used Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to defer Balogun’s one-match suspension for a period of one year, making him available for the Belgium game.

Discussng the development on BBC Match of the Day, Rooney said:

“I think it’s an absolute disgrace. I really do…. For this to be suspended, they either take the red card away, which I think was probably the right decision, and then you can play. But to suspend it for a year, I think it’s absolute disgrace.

“Gianni Infantino should be ashamed of this because I think the sportsmanship of this game is in question here. If I’m one of the opponents, if I’m USA’s opponent, I’d be absolutely fuming. I just think it’s wrong in every way.”

Balogun is the USMNT’s top scorer at this edition, with three goals, the first player from his country to score three times in a FIFA World Cup campaign in nearly 100 years.

“We celebrate that decision” – USMNT boss on Folarin Balogun’s availability for 2026 FIFA World Cup Belgium clash

USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino is pleased to have Folarin Balogun back for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 showdown with Belgium after the attacker’s red card’s suspension was deferred by FIFA

Despite playing a man short following Balogun’s dismissal, the co-hosts scored again, in the 80th minute through Malik Tillman, to register their first World Cup knockout victory in 24 years.

“My reaction I think is like everyone that really loved that sport, and trust on the ethic and integrity. I think we celebrate all that decision,” Pochettino said about Balogun’s ban being lifted (as per ESPN). “We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina to play with 10 men, 35 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair.

“But it’s not only because I am the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team, [and] I need to defend my side. It’s only because I think it’s … 99.9% that we all agree that it was an unfair card.”

The USMNT are looking to reach their first FIFA World Cup quarter-final since 2002, when they lost 1-0 to Germany.

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Edited by Bhargav