[Hieronymus]

FIFA has overturned the ridiculous Balogun red card suspension, he will play tomorrow vs Belgium.

On the one hand I am shocked - this doesn’t happen. But like I said the original 1 game suspension was a big tell that FIFA didn’t endorse the red card. SFP with a direct red is essentially always 2+ games.

As I understand it, FIFA determined the slo mo review violated VAR protocol though that is guidance and not a hard rule. Slo mo should (not must) only be used for factual determinations like point of contact and not to determine things like force of contact. This case is text book why - the force of the contact looks way worse slowed down vs. at live speed.

Of course the official FIFA statement says none of that:
“By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”

Article 27 just simply says FIFA can suspend a suspension BTW. So it explains nothing.

But this is almost unprecedented - Ronaldo getting his suspension reduced at the start of this World Cup is the only kinda relevant precedent I can think of.

[Hieronymus]

FIFA has overturned the ridiculous Balogun red card suspension, he will play tomorrow vs Belgium.

On the one hand I am shocked - this doesn’t happen. But like I said the original 1 game suspension was a big tell that FIFA didn’t endorse the red card. SFP with a direct red is essentially always 2+ games.

As I understand it, FIFA determined the slo mo review violated VAR protocol though that is guidance and not a hard rule. Slo mo should (not must) only be used for factual determinations like point of contact and not to determine things like force of contact. This case is text book why - the force of the contact looks way worse slowed down vs. at live speed.

Of course the official FIFA statement says none of that:
“By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”

Article 27 just simply says FIFA can suspend a suspension BTW. So it explains nothing.

But this is almost unprecedented - Ronaldo getting his suspension reduced at the start of this World Cup is the only kinda relevant precedent I can think of.