American fans are rejoicing everywhere, given that U.S. men’s national team star striker Folarin Balogun is now permitted to play in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday night against Belgium. The European foe, however, is furious about the sudden change of plans.
Balogun had controversially received a red card in the 64th minute of the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, issuing a supposedly non-appealable, one-match ban, per FIFA’s rules for the tournament. The incident heavily tainted an otherwise exciting affair, in which the USMNT secured its first knockout win in 24 years and sealed a place in the last 16.
