U.S. star Folarin Balogun eligible to play vs. Belgium after FIFA suspends red card ban

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it is “investigating all potential options.”

U.S. Soccer said in a statement it was “pleased” that Balogun would be available for the team’s next match.

Balogun found out about the decision in a team meeting Sunday, a source familiar with the situation said.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has made similar rulings in the past, as recently as last year, when Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-game ban was shortened to a one-game suspension plus probation.

The initial decision to show Balogun a red card was swiftly met with criticism from the U.S.

“For me, never is it a red card,” head coach Maurice Pochettino said following the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He added: “If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are, you know, fighting for the ball and your feet land, no?”

The U.S. was also not able to appeal the decision, leaving Balogun’s fate in the hands of the disciplinary committee.

“I think in this stage of the tournament where every player is important, I think it’s a bit bogus,” U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie said of the situation.

Christina Unkel, a referee and rules analyst who once worked as a FIFA referee, told NBC News this month the foul should not have been reviewed in the first place because it was not clear and obvious.

“It was a bit of a surprise that VAR actually made a recommendation down for what one would argue is more of a subjective play, that there is debate on both sides,” Unkel said.

Balogun, 25, has been a breakout star for the U.S. during the World Cup.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents, he was in the U.S. only because his parents were visiting New York and his mother was deemed too pregnant to fly back to London.

After having played for England during his youth career, Balogun ultimately decided to play for the U.S. when he had to pick a country for the senior level.

Balogun has credited U.S. fans for his strong start to the tournament, which included two goals in the team’s opening match against Paraguay.

“I’ve always said the fans gave me so much motivation. They showed me so much support,” Balogun said after the U.S.’ World Cup opener. “For me, the most important thing has always been to repay that. Today is a great opportunity, and I just want to show the fans I made the right decision.”

Christian Pulisic said that night: “He’s lethal right now in front of the goal. We’re really lucky to have him. Let’s hope it keeps going like this.”

Balogun leads the U.S. in the World Cup with three goals after he also scored in the win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The team next plays Belgium in Seattle on Monday night.