If the US player that had their red card overturned had an nth of integrity - he'd voluntary sit out the game.

[AStern]

The world of soccer is rightfully outraged. This would right the ship and be a nice FU to Donald Trump.

Just my thoughts.

[SSJVegeta]

1. Why was it thrown out?

[AStern]

2. Orangina apparently got involved.

Not sure if that's so but that's what is being reported.

[SSJVegeta]

4. ...

Like. I'd be okay with it if they reversed jahrell quansahs red card too. And the rest after they've missed a game. Hell just change the rules. Banning a player an entire tournament over something relatively minor is dumb.

[Celerity]

12. It is a one game ban, not the entire rest of the tournament. It is an outrageous decision by FIFA. If Balogun plays

against Belgium (and even worse if he scores or assists a goal or goals) the USMNT will be massively tainted for ages. FIFA already is. The game's integrity is on the line.

As a life-long footie fan, I am appalled at the corruption.

[SSJVegeta]

21. Oh geez that makes the reversal even dumber

Thanks for the clarification!

Yeah I mean if they are gonna reverse one reverse all.. enough with this special treatment bullshit

[Moostache]

22. That is overstating the memory of football fans massively to impugn the USMNT...

1986 Argentina still claims the World Cup when they won with BLATANT CHEATING by Maradonna on the game deciding goal...the "Hand of God" is infamous to this date, but the players were celebrated and still legitimately call them selves "World Cup Champions - 1986" despite that controversy...

[Celerity]

26. The Argies are forever tainted due to that goal, especially in England, where I grew up.

They are forever shackled with the 'cheaters' label.

Yes, the second Maradona goal of that 1986 game was arguably the greatest goal in WC history, but the stench of the illegal handball goal will never be removed.

The USMNT needs to do the right thing and not play Balogun in this upcoming game.

Win or lose it is the right thing to do. Not giving a toss about the integrity and employing 'the ends justify the means' as a modus operandi simply will further serve to vilify and entrench the US in the eyes of the world as a bully and a cheat, a nation that always demands 'rules for thee, never for me' special treatment.

[exboyfil]

57. It seems a blown call during the course of the game

is a lot less severe than an example of FIFA succumbing to pressure to change a legitimate decision.

Everything Trump touches, dies (except him and his grifter family).

[Celerity]

69. it was not a blown call

red cards in football do not require intent

[TomSlick]

71. You are correct but that's not the point.

I will allow that I'm not clearly impartial but a yellow card might have been appropriate it but there was no justification for a red card. It was at least a blown call.

[Celerity]

72. the action is what is judged and the action was red card worthy, it was dangerous play, even if not intended

[sarisataka]

75. Dangerous play is not a red card offense

It is only an indirect free kick

Under Law 12 I would have called a reckless tackle giving a direct free kick and issuing a yellow card.

[Celerity]

76. I should have said 'serious foul play', which is why the red card was issued. Intent is not judged there, the action is.

This is a potential ankle/leg breaker. I am a life-log football fan, grew up in London, my family are season ticket holders for Chelsea, who play (at Stamford Bridge) near where I grew up:

[sarisataka]

77. IMO the tackle was not done with excessive force

Which is why I would give a yellow instead of a red for serious foul play.

I am starting to think a downside of VAR is referees are keeping the cards in their pocket more. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing, but they’re relying on VAR to catch fouls such as this where they might have intervened immediately.

[exboyfil]

73. I met the animus towards the player who used his hand

I am not making a judgement on whether the red card (which I guess means a one game suspension for the next game) was justified or not.

I guess the equivalent would be the governor of California calling the NFL during the playoffs to try to get the suspension of a Ram, 49er, or Charger player overturned. Or a President calling a Governor to see if we can't just shave off another 13,000 votes.

[LeftInTX]

50. It makes me wonder if other world leaders do this too?

Trump was really quick to do this. I'm pretty sure he got the idea from somewhere.

I'm not a sports person (except I love my Spurs and I follow a few Olympic sports) and I'm not following the world cup. However, if world leaders have been doing this years, then it shows that the sport is rigged. I know that FIFA is corrupt and I saw most of a documentary about it on Netflix a few years ago.

[SSJVegeta]

53. I suspect you are onto something

😒 🤔

[COL Mustard]

74. I can only imagine how much this whole kerfuffle...

Has fired up the Belgian team. Wonder how much money the Grifter family has on the game, and which team?

[LexVegas]

3. He will and should play. nt

[AStern]

5. How Trumpian

nt

[ITAL]

14. It's kind of a no win situation

The guy didn't deserve a red card in the first place, so the punishment was beyond extreme. So it's one of those two wrongs don't make a right thing.

Fans of Team USA were rightfully ticked off he was red carded in the first place, but Belgium fans are likewise totally justified that his serving the suspension ALSO being delayed is a miscarriage of justice.

[LexVegas]

19. His parents are Nigerian and he was unexpectedly born in the USA, so your criticism of him is rather....nt

[angrychair]

43. The red card is the red card

There are lots of things people wish they could go back and undo but that isn't how it works.

The decision was a red card, doesn't require our agreement and he should serve the penalty like anyone else that has been given a red card during the world cup.

Him playing would send the wrong message to the world and taint any success we might have in the game tonight.

[Happy Hoosier]

62. I think the red cars was bs.

Wasn’t even called a foul on the field. The “offense” was inadvertent. The call stinks of an attempt to hamstring the US’s top player.

[angrychair]

64. Doesn't require your agreement

So does every other country that got a red card get to cry about it and get changed for them too?

What if they don't think the score is fair?
Do we get FIFA to award us extra goals so we can win?

[Celerity]

18. Profoundly disagree. This decision shows the utter corruption of FIFA.

It is destroying what is left of the integrity of the game.

[newdeal2]

6. I blame corrupt FIFA and Trump

Those are the ones who need to explain themselves and be held accountable.

[Jilly_in_VA]

7. That may be true, HOWEVER

It had no business being a red card to begin with and that ref should be admonished big time. It was a yellow at best. The foul was purely unintentional and the sort of thing that, while really bad, happens in a hard-fought game. Which brings the question, did you SEE the game, and the foul?

IMNSHO, Gianni Infantino has no business being president of FIFA, any more than Shitler has being president of the US, But here we are.

[TommyT139]

39. Sometimes ref decisions suck.

That's part of any sport.

Just as Trump does with judges when he doesn't like their decisions, he threw his considerable weight around. That's the only real difference here.

Along with the fact that Trump could deport this guy's family, and move him to the top of the deport-birthright-citizens list.

[jmowreader]

68. The worst part of the red card is...

The referee actually went to the video replay system, watched Balogun and Muharemovic get tangled up fighting for the ball and Muharemovic accidentally get stepped on, and red carded him for an obviously accidental move.

[mcar]

8. Not his fault

Complain to FIFA or to TSF. It's not Balogun's fault.

[EdmondDantes_]

9. Unless they believe the red card wasn't valid in the first place

Should every player have refused to play in Qatar or Russia because those countries have horrible human rights records? What about the decades of corruption in FIFA?

Or is it only because we hate Trump so much that we think he's the only bad thing in the world? Stop being so obsessed with Trump that you have to position everything as a fuck you to Trump. He's not worth that much of your energy.

[Cheezoholic]

17. In my view the fact they waited so long is what is insane. I could almost swallow immediate reversal but not this n/t

[Cheezoholic]

10. Any sports org that has the right (its in their charter) to reverse any suspension at any time without explanation

is corrupt, period.

[Prairie Gates]

11. Oh, the red card wasn't overturned: his suspension was suspended!

I think it is difficult to convey the amount of contempt both in the foreign press and in other countries about this decision. Like, read the comments for very mainstream publications like Italy's La Gazzetta Dello Sport or BBC Sport or Deutsche Welle sports pages. They run 99-1 absolutely trashing this. Infantino a mafioso. Make Trump the referee. What do you expect - it's the USA. That sort of thing. Meanwhile, Americans are like "I don't really watch much soccer but that definitely 100% was not a red flag! USA! USA!"

It is to fucking laugh.

[Wanderlust988]

13. It shows why soccer is ridiculous and stuck in the past

They need to update their rules to allow for challenges. Even the NBA and the NFL allow for coachs' challenges now. Also, I can see why red cards will get you kicked out of the game, but why the next game too? It's not like he punched someone. These ridiculous rules are the reason we have such controversies.

[angrychair]

44. Because red cards are egregious fouls

That are due to a player that acted in a overly reckless and dangerous manner.

Red cards exist because often the act they are being carded for doing either lead to a serious injury of the other player or could have lead to a serious injury of another player.

Sometimes it's for behavior as well.

The point of the game suspension is to not allow teams to benefit from dangerous and reckless play by losing the player for a game or more. Some suspensions can last for three or more games in regular season play.

[Ponietz]

15. This isn't about Balogun's integrity JFC!

Same kind of thing I read here yesterday: blame the kids for their obnoxious parents.

I feel very sorry for Balogun and the US Men, but I’m not surprised since the FIFA pEaCE pwIzE made it clear from the beginning we were watching a clown show.

UEFA could be weighing a complete break with FIFA. I hope that’s what this leads to.

[Moostache]

16. This just in...FIFA declares England the champions of the 1986 World Cup

They have reviewed the "Hand of God" and (RIGHTLY) determined that Maradona CHEATED BLATANTLY and the goal that was allowed should not have been:

So there's that...

Also just in, MLB has reviewed the play at first base between the 1985 Cardinals and Royals and overturned that injustice as well... the St. Louis Cardinals may now claim their 12th World Championship, which was denied them because of this:

[LexVegas]

28. That Argentina world cup win is tainted forever..oh wait, not its not. nt

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Why?

He's already been effectively acquitted because it was determined there was no intent.
I'm no soccer expert but it sure didn't look intentional to me.
So, he should sit out because he accidentally collided with an opponent which happens 25 times per game anyway?
I don't understand the fascination with relitigating this and punishing the player, the team, & the fans.
He didn't do a thing to get the suspension rescinded. He didn't even whine about before it was lifted.
Now, he should punish himself?
You're letting The Failure's involvement transfer the stench of corruption to a guy that just plays soccer.

[Celerity]

32. Red cards in football do not require intent. nt

[ProfessorGAC]

34. Irrelevant

Try again.
Your reply has nothing to do with the issue at hand.
Oh, and I may be American & older but I knew what you posted.

[BannonsLiver]

35. I'm not a soccer expert either.

I’m not able to determine if it was a “good” or “bad” call by the officials. However, I think what has people concerned and upset isn’t necessarily the red card itself, but the appearance that Trump simply waved a finger and it went away. That he somehow has direct influence over outcomes on the field. Whether that’s true or not I can’t say but it’s not hard to understand how the international football community of fans and media etc could quickly draw that conclusion.

[ProfessorGAC]

36. Yeah, I Get That

I just disagree that it is relevant.
Do I think a head of state should insert him/herself in this way? No.
Do I think this was just a cynical effort by The Failure to look important, influential & "'Murcan"? Yes, for sure.
Still has nothing to do with whether a guy whose suspension was rescinded should play, especially since I didn't think suspension was warranted in the first place.
It's just a game. Let the players do what they do & ignore the behind the scenes nonsense. It's already known as a cesspool of corruption. Once we sent a team to this tournament there is no moral high ground.

[angrychair]

48. So you advocate for no rules?

That is what you are saying. That trans should only have to follow the rules when they want but can ignore them at will.

What kind of game is it when teams can just ignore rules whenever they don't like a decision that went against them?

What about all the other teams that got red cards or even yellow cards?
I mean what if I don't agree with the score?

I mean I would love for FIFA to change the score in the Netherlands last game so they actually win. I demand FIFA award Netherlands 10 automatic goals in that game because I think that is only fair.

[maxsolomon]

23. This is not the way the world works. That is not how professional Soccer works.

Last edited Mon Jul 6, 2026, 12:56 PM - Edit history (1)

The card was BS. Yellow, sure, but Red?

Red requires "intentionality" and "brutality". Neither were present in that foul - Balogan landed on the Tarik Muharemović's ankle coming down from a jump. It was unavoidable. It looks 10x worse in slow-motion on VAR than in real time. The Bosnian player was fine. He played the rest of the game.

Trump called Infantino, sure. He wasn't the only one - USMNT had to ask formally for a review.

[JCMach1]

27. Why was this ref even on the pitch for the World Cup?

Ref who gave Folarin Balogun a red card was previously accused of match fixing - Yahoo Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ref-gave-folarin-balogun-red-141514316.html

[maxsolomon]

29. Oh that's crazy.

RIGGED!

The accusations stemmed from the owner of Brazilian club Botafogo, who submitted audio recordings that featured a different official claiming refs were taking bribes.

Claus was called to testify, along with his VAR at the time.

The Brazilian Football Confederation found no proof of any wrongdoing by Claus.

So yes, there was an accusation, but nothing more was leveled against Claus at the time.

[JCMach1]

30. U don't put this dude on the big stage FFS

Yet here we are...

[WhiskeyGrinder]

31. lol this is definitely how fifa soccer works

[maxsolomon]

37. I mean the OP's "iota of integrity" comment

Because yes, that is the way of FIFA.

[Celerity]

33. Red cards in football do not require intent. nt

[angrychair]

51. No, the team did not ask for a review

That is not how the world cup works. There are no reviews or appeals in World Cup games.

So should other teams demand changes in their red cards too? How about yellow cards?

How about their scores they don't like? Should teams that lost get to demand FIFA award them additional goals so they can win and stay in the tournament?

Doesn't matter if any of us agrees with the red card or not, it did not require our agreement.

That was the decision and that's it. Continuing to cry about it looks pathetic and makes us look like spoiled and entitled brats.

[Grins]

24. Not the player!!! The coach! And the team.

It has to be from all of them.

[JCMach1]

25. Why? It was a bogus call

No apologies needed for FIFA correcting an error

[Walleye]

38. I agree. Or the coach should do it.

Even if the US team wins this round, it will be forever orange tainted.

[Iggo]

40. Nope. It's a game. If the rules allow him to play, he should play.

I think the call was flimsy, and the reversal was a thousand times flimsier. But if he’s allowed to play, he should play. It’s a game.

[Torchlight]

41. "Dez caught it" The 2026 variant.

Everybody knows for a fact that anyone who disagrees with them is wrong.

[Iggo]

47. LOL.

Not according to the rules, he didn’t.

[Torchlight]

49. And anyone who disagrees with that is wrong

And mustard still tastes the same as it did last week.

[Grim Chieftain]

42. Agree

K&R

[Melon]

45. Why would he sit out? Not even FIFA agreed with the call.

[angrychair]

55. That isn't true

This was just a suspension of the red card. He would still have to serve a one game suspension at some point during this tournament.

What about the other people that have got red cards in this tournament? I'm sure they don't agree with those red cards either.
I mean England had a player get a red card yesterday and they won but they will have to play their next game without that player.

Is that fair to them? I mean they don't agree with that red card either and they don't want their guy suspended either.
Why can't they get the same special treatment or is it only when Americans don't agree with a ruling?

[Melon]

61. King Charles needs to call in now😁

[Mordred]

46. Best way out of no win situation

is if the game goes to kicks after 120 minutes, at that point it really won't matter if Balogun played or not unless he scored/set up several goals or had a dramatic late equalizer.

[sarisataka]

52. Football players are not really known for their integrity until long after the fact

Maradona‘s goal against England in the World Cup, Henry’s goal against Ireland in the qualifiers against Ireland. Long after the results could not be changed both admitted they scored key goals illegally.

However, to be fair when was the last time you saw a player in the World Series tell the umpire no that was a strike I’m out. Or a (American) football player saying I did not have control of the ball until it hit the ground. The pass should be incomplete.

[angrychair]

56. Oh ok

So this is the "others cheated in the past so that makes it ok" rationale.

The issue is very straightforward: he got a red card. That's it. No other arguments.

It's a one game suspension. They didn't void the red card, it still stands and he still has to serve a one game suspension no matter what.

What FIFA is doing is carving out a special exception, just for him, to keep playing while the US is in the tournament and once they are out, he would have to serve a one game suspension back in his regular league play.

No other countries have been given that capability.

[sarisataka]

60. You totally missed the point

You are singling out a single player for integrity will ignoring the mass of players and multiple sports who have even less integrity.

It is within the FIFA rules to give him probation rather than a one game suspension. It is not a special exception it has been given to others. He will not have to serve the suspension with his league. International play and league play are two entirely separate situations.

By rule, Ronaldo should have had to sit out Portugal‘s first two matches. He was given the same terms as the US player and he played in both games. I did not notice anyone calling out Ronaldo for lacking integrity and saying he should’ve sat out.

[angrychair]

63. That happened before the world cup

This happened during the world cup.
No player that was given a red card during the world cup is getting to avoid serving their one game suspension.

I mean an England player got a red card yesterday and England won. Should they get their one game suspension suspended?

Red card is a red card, serve the damn one game suspension and move the fuck on.

It's absolutely ridiculous for people to be crying about this like spoiled children.

[sarisataka]

65. It happened during qualifiers where Ronaldo was carded for violent conduct

Per FIFA rules that mandates a three match band in international play. He sat out one game, the last qualifier, which was meaningless by that point and his remaining suspension was changed to probation, allowing him to play in the World Cup.

I don’t believe the English player should have his rescinded because it was clearly serious foul play. I believe the Mexico goalkeeper should have been reviewed for a possible red card when he took down the English player inside the 18 yard box.

If you were to ask Iran, they would say Belgium should not be in the game either because they were robbed on an offside goal and Iran should be in the knockout rather than Belgium. No one is questioning Belgium‘s right to be where they are.

My personal opinion, is you play the game the calls go your way or not and you let the chips fall where they may. I think Ronaldo should’ve had to sit two games Balogun should sit out this game and Messi got lucky because the name on the back of his jersey is Messi

My objection is everybody is singling out one US player and falsely claiming his situation is unique.

[angrychair]

66. His situation is unique

Because the leader of his country called the head of FIFA to get the penalty overturned.

Fruit of the poison tree and all that.

[sarisataka]

67. We don't know that influenced the decision

but we also do not know it didn't.

I agree that does taint the probation even if that is what FIFA was going to do anyway.

[exboyfil]

58. Yes. I don't understand animosity towards a player

The refs and umpires on the other hand.

You take whatever call the ref gives you. The only exception is collusion.

[RockRaven]

54. Someone with that particular type and degree of integrity wouldn't be in a FIFA event in the first place.

[angrychair]

59. Red card was NOT overturned

The red card still stands and he still has to serve a one game suspension at some point.

This was a special exception given just to the US team for him to keep playing and once they are out of the world cup, when he goes back to regular season play, he will have to serve a one game suspension.
No other team was given that option for their players that for a red card.

[aggiesal]

70. I was just about to post the same thing ...

He should self-suspend for this game and pray they win so he could play in the Round of 8, 4, 2 and win a championship.
One can dream.

[beaglelover]

78. The US is not playing well at all. Such a HUGE mistake they just made. Looks like it's over for their WC hopes.

[AStern]

79. IMHO, had they let the rule stand, I think it would have motivated them.

nt