\n
SEATTLE (AP) – Folarin Balogun will be in the U.S. starting lineup for Monday’s World Cup Round of 16 game against Belgium after his red card suspension was lifted by FIFA. caused a commotion<\/span> across sports.<\/p>\nBalogun’s red card was judged by Brazilian referee Rafael Klaus.<\/span> He was handed an automatic one-game suspension for stepping on an opponent’s ankle during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last Wednesday.<\/p>\nnext US President Donald Trump’s phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino<\/span>FIFA Disciplinary Committee sentenced to one year of disciplinary action<\/span> In response, European governing body UEFA condemned the decision, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjust.” <\/p>\nBelgium’s attempt to get FIFA to reinstate the suspension was rejected by FIFA’s appeals committee on the basis that the Belgian federation was ineligible.<\/p>\n
Belgian fans shouted “FIFA Mafia” during the pregame march to Lumen Field.<\/p>\n
Infantino said he was not involved in the disciplinary committee’s decision, which also imposed a $40,000 fine on Balogun, which could be paid by the U.S. Soccer Federation.<\/p>\n
The United States started with no changes to their lineup, but Belgium left out Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, who started on the bench along with Romelu Lukaku. The Red Devils also removed Arthur Theator and Hans Vanaken and brought in Dodi Lukebakio, Amadou Onana, Nicholas Raskin and Nathan Ngoy.<\/p>\n
With Balogun’s three goals, the United States has never won consecutive World Cup finals. Belgium eliminated the United States in the round of 16 in 2014.<\/p>\n
The winner of the U.S.-Belgium game will play Spain on Friday in Inglewood, Calif., for a spot in the semifinals against either France or Morocco. The last time the United States reached the quarterfinals was in 2002, when they lost to Germany. The Americans reached the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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