FIFA has cleared United States striker Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium in Monday's World Cup last-16 match after suspending his one-match ban under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code.
What is Article 27
Article 27 allows FIFA's judicial bodies to suspend the implementation of all or part of a disciplinary sanction.
The sanction itself remains in force but does not have to be served immediately unless the suspension is later revoked.
The Disciplinary Code does not specify the circumstances under which FIFA's judicial bodies may suspend a sanction.
The player is placed on a probationary period of between one and four years. If they commit a similar offence during that period, the suspended sanction is automatically reinstated in addition to any new disciplinary penalty.
Balogun's one-match suspension has been deferred for a probationary period of one year.
The only disciplinary sanctions that cannot be suspended are those related to match manipulation.
FIFA's judicial bodies include the Disciplinary Committee and the Appeal Committee.
The Disciplinary Committee consists of a chairperson, deputy chairperson and additional members. The chairperson and deputy chairperson must be qualified lawyers, and the committee requires at least three members to reach a decision.
Mohammad Al Kamali of the United Arab Emirates currently chairs the Disciplinary Committee. Committee members are elected by the FIFA Congress for four-year terms and may serve a maximum of three terms.
Article 27 was previously numbered Article 26 before revisions to the Disciplinary Code in 2023.
