In its statement, FIFA pointed to “Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code”, which allows the suspension to be “suspended for a probationary period of one year”.
It added that Balogun would only be banned if he committed another similar foul in the next year.
There are some examples of the decision.
Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was banned for three games after suffering an elbow injury during last year’s qualifying, but two matches of his ban were suspended.
The move, which allowed Ronaldo to play in Portugal’s World Cup opening match, was criticized at the time.
“We are not defending the national team or the federation. We are defending football, whether it’s morality or integrity,” coach Garcia said on Sunday in protest of Belgium’s latest U-turn.
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said it was “a bit of a surprise” that Balogun was cleared to play just a day before the match.
“If this had been done earlier, perhaps we would have been more mentally prepared,” he said.