Mauricio Pochettino Celebrates FIFA Decision to Reinstate Folarin Balogun for Crucial Belgium Match
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has hailed FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-game ban as a "celebration". The striker was initially given a straight red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina, but FIFA's disciplinary committee has since reduced the suspension to a one-year probationary period.
Balogun's reinstatement comes as a significant boost to the US team ahead of their last 16 clash against Belgium on Monday in Seattle. The striker has scored three goals in three starts for the USA and his availability is a major advantage for Pochettino's side.
The decision has been met with criticism from Belgium, with their manager likening it to an "April Fool's Day" joke and their national association expressing "astonishment" and threatening potential legal action.
Pochettino argued that his team had already been unfairly punished by being forced to play with 10 men against Bosnia, and that the initial red card was "completely unfair". He welcomed the decision to overturn the ban, stating that it was "fair" and that the team did not need to be punished further.
The US manager revealed that he had no involvement in the process to overturn the ban, but acknowledged that the national federation had been working behind the scenes to defend their case. Reports suggest that US President Donald Trump had also intervened, with the president thanking FIFA on social media for reversing the "injustice".
The match against Belgium is a highly anticipated one, with the two teams having met in a friendly back in March, which Belgium won 5-2. Pochettino is hopeful that his team can improve on that performance and progress to the next round with Balogun back in contention.
Balogun's reinstatement comes as a significant boost to the US team ahead of their last 16 clash against Belgium on Monday in Seattle. The striker has scored three goals in three starts for the USA and his availability is a major advantage for Pochettino's side.
The decision has been met with criticism from Belgium, with their manager likening it to an "April Fool's Day" joke and their national association expressing "astonishment" and threatening potential legal action.
Pochettino argued that his team had already been unfairly punished by being forced to play with 10 men against Bosnia, and that the initial red card was "completely unfair". He welcomed the decision to overturn the ban, stating that it was "fair" and that the team did not need to be punished further.
The US manager revealed that he had no involvement in the process to overturn the ban, but acknowledged that the national federation had been working behind the scenes to defend their case. Reports suggest that US President Donald Trump had also intervened, with the president thanking FIFA on social media for reversing the "injustice".
The match against Belgium is a highly anticipated one, with the two teams having met in a friendly back in March, which Belgium won 5-2. Pochettino is hopeful that his team can improve on that performance and progress to the next round with Balogun back in contention.
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