Former France striker Thierry Henry has weighed in on FIFA's decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban for United States forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play in the Round of 16 against Belgium. Speaking in a video shared by FOX Sports, Henry said the late ruling would have disrupted Belgium's tactical preparations and may have dampened their morale. However, he reiterated that Balogun's challenge did not warrant a red card.
FIFA's Decision and Henry's Reaction
FIFA announced on Sunday that the implementation of Balogun's automatic suspension had been suspended under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code for a probationary period of one year. The decision came just a day before the USA-Belgium match in Seattle. Henry, a World Cup winner with France, noted that the timing was problematic for Belgium. "That must have broken their spirit a tiny bit because you also prepare the game to play a certain way and then suddenly you have to change your preparation of the game," he said. He added that three or four days to take such a decision was too long.
Balogun's Red Card Incident
Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute of the USA's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. Despite playing with 10 men, the co-hosts advanced, with Balogun having scored three goals in the tournament. Henry said he did not believe the challenge was intentional. "I do not think it was a red card, and we all said it. We all know that it was not... he didn't do that on purpose," he stated. However, he acknowledged the difficulty for Belgium: "If you're Belgium, to prepare the game, it does change everything."
Belgium's Opposition
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) expressed strong opposition, describing the ruling as surprising and stating it is exploring all avenues to protect its interests. In an official statement, the RBFA said it was "astonished by FIFA's decision" and questioned the legal basis, arguing that Article 66.4 of the same code mandates an automatic suspension for a red card. The statement noted that all previous red cards in the tournament had resulted in automatic suspensions.
Historical Context
Henry compared the situation to a possible precedent involving Brazilian legend Garrincha. "I think I've heard that it happened maybe with Garrincha back in the day or something like that," he said. Despite agreeing with the outcome, he questioned the delay. "Yes, I was kind of like okay, it is the right call, but why so late?"
Balogun is now expected to be available for the USA against Belgium, with a quarter-final spot at stake. The match is set for Monday in Seattle.
