The temporary lifting of Folarin Balogun’s suspension by the U.S. striker has sparked a surge in online searches for the pertinent sections of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The key language comes from Article. 27 gives FIFA broad discretion to fully or partially suspend any disciplinary measure.
Below is the complete text of Article 27, titled “Suspension of Implementation of Disciplinary Measures”:
1. The judicial panel may elect to fully or partially suspend the enforcement of a disciplinary sanction.
2. By suspending the sanction, the judicial body places the sanctioned individual on a probationary period lasting one to four years.
3. Should the individual, while on probation, commit another infringement of comparable seriousness, the judicial panel will rescind the suspension and enforce the original sanction, without affecting any further penalties for the new offense.
4. Disciplinary actions concerning match manipulation are not subject to suspension.
The Royal Belgian Football Association has responded by referencing Article 66.4: “A sending‑off automatically results in a suspension from the following match. FIFA’s judicial bodies may impose additional match bans and further disciplinary measures.”
The RBFA also cited Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations: “If a player or team official is dismissed via a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they are automatically suspended from their team’s next match, with additional sanctions possible.”
Nevertheless, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations state at Article 7.1: “Disciplinary infringements are handled in accordance with the current FIFA Disciplinary Code, together with all applicable circulars and directives, to which Participating Member Associations and Delegation Members commit to comply.”
Consequently, Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations recedes in priority to the Disciplinary Code. Yet, FIFA’s interpretation holds that Article 66.4 is governed by Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code, despite the latter not expressly covering that nuance. (A future revision is anticipated to codify this outcome.)
Regardless, Balogun’s suspension was reported as final as of Friday. By Sunday, following a call from President Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the status changed.
Whatever the cause, the FIFA Peace Prize laureate is said to have confronted the FIFA chief, and Rule 27 appears to permit this result, assuming FIFA has concluded that Article 27 overrides Article 66.4.
The timing is suboptimal for both sides; the United States had prepared to compete without Balogun, while Belgium anticipated not facing him. Yet, with roughly 30 hours remaining before kickoff, he is back in contention.
