Definition
Under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has the discretion to suspend disciplinary action that has been taken by a referee in a previous match. For example, a red card can be suspended, with a probationary period of anywhere up to four years. If the player in question commits another act of a similar nature within the defined suspension period, the sanction is reactivated alongside any additional disciplinary measures.
In the 2026 World Cup, Article 27 was quoted by FIFA when USA striker Folarin Balogun had his red card suspended in time for USA to face Belgium in the last-16. The controversy surrounded the alleged phone call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asking him to remove the suspension so Balogun could play. He did, Balogun played, and USA got pumped 4-1 by Belgium, the hosts knocked out.
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