United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has welcomed FIFA’s decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on striker Folarin Balogun, describing it as a victory for fairness and integrity in football.
Balogun, who was sent off during the United States’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, has now been cleared to feature in his side’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Belgium after FIFA suspended the sanction under its disciplinary regulations.
Pochettino said the United States had already been sufficiently punished by playing with 10 men for more than 30 minutes during the previous match, insisting the red card was unfair.
The Argentine coach also distanced himself from reports of political involvement in the decision, stressing that football should remain independent of politics while maintaining that Balogun’s return is a welcome boost for the team. He added that the strength of the United States squad lies in its collective effort rather than any individual player.
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