USA star Folarin Balogun won't have games added to red card suspension

Seattle — Folarin Balogun did not have any games added to his one-match suspension for his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, U.S. Soccer confirmed Friday, July 3.

Balogun will be suspended for Monday’s round-of-16 game against Belgium, but he would be eligible for a quarterfinal against either Spain or Portugal should the U.S. defeat the Red Devils.

Balogun picked up a red card in the 64th minute of the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1.

It was an eventful match for Balogun, who scored the opener just before halftime, then saw his night end early when he stepped on Tarik Muharemović’s ankle. The challenge initially wasn’t punished but after a VAR review, referee Raphael Claus issued a red card.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee reviews every red card to determine if the automatic one-game suspension is sufficient. The committee can add more games to the suspension or issue a fine if the offense was serious enough.

For Balogun, the committee has determined that a one-game ban was appropriate.

The U.S. did not have the option to appeal Balogun’s red card unless FIFA decided to add additional games to the suspension.

That means that Balogun was already out for the round-of-16 game against Belgium, regardless of what FIFA’s disciplinary committee decided.

Now the striker will have to hope his teammates can carry the load in his absence, giving him the chance to play in the quarterfinal.

Balogun is the USMNT’s top scorer at this World Cup, tallying three goals so far.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA star Folarin Balogun won’t have games added to red card suspension