Afghanistan, July 6 -- FIFA's decision to allow United States forward Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium after a red card suspension, following a reported White House request for review, has turned a World Cup disciplinary ruling into an unusual debate over politics, football governance and competitive fairness.
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the United States' 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, July 1, in Santa Clara, California. The red card followed a challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic and normally carried an automatic one-match suspension, which would have ruled Balogun out of Monday's Round of 16 match against Belgium.
The case shifted sharply on Sunday when FIFA announce...