Red Card System In Disarray Over Trump Fifa And Balogun Decision
The story
BBC Sport - It had become one of the game's great certainties. If you are sent off at the World Cup, you will miss the next game.
The decision to effectively overturn the red card shown to United States' star forward Folarin Balogun leaves many unanswered questions.
Details
Balogun, sent off in the last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, will now be available to play in the last 16 against Belgium on Monday. He's the US's top scorer at the tournament with three goals.
There have been 189 red cards in the history of the World Cup, and only two players have not served a suspension.
The other came in 1962, when Brazil's Garrincha was sent off against Chile in the semi-final, but played in the victory over Czechoslovakia in the final.
Back then, however, there was no automatic ban. It was decided by committee with evidence given by the officials.
The Fifa disciplinary committee's decision in 1962 was shrouded in allegations of political interference, external. It may well be the case again.
Given the well-established close relationship between the White House and Fifa, questions will be asked because of what is a highly unusual decision in favour of the co-hosts.
How other sources reported it
Nile Post Sports also reported on the story, highlighting that bbc sport - folarin balogun is available to play for the united states in their world cup last-16 tie against belgium after his one-game ban was suspended by fifa.
Why it matters
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