USA’s Folarin Balogun Faces Red Card Controversy

During the World Cup match between the USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Folarin Balogun received a red card. This occurred in the team’s 2-0 victory on Wednesday night. The referee, Raphael Claus from Brazil, issued the red card after a VAR review highlighted Balogun stepping on defender Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle.

This disciplinary action means Balogun will miss the upcoming Round of 16 match against Belgium. According to FIFA regulations, teams cannot appeal red cards. A FIFA official confirmed this and referenced rules stating that a sending-off results in an automatic suspension from the next match.

U.S. teammate Weston McKennie criticized the lack of an appeal option and questioned Claus’s decision. McKennie noted the inconsistency in card issuance throughout the tournament.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino defended Balogun, stating that the incident was unintentional and a common part of the game. He emphasized that the act was part of the normal play and not meant to harm the opponent.

It’s never a red card. Never. … If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that never was. It was a normal action in football that you are fighting for the ball and your feet land. – Pochettino

Historically, Balogun is the third player to score in a World Cup knockout match and also receive a red card. He joins Brazil’s Ronaldinho from the 2002 quarterfinal and France’s Zinedine Zidane from the 2006 final.

Balogun’s red card is the fifth in the history of the U.S. squad at the World Cup. Previous instances include Eric Wynalda in 1990 against Czechoslovakia, Fernando Clavijo in 1994 against Brazil, and both Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope against Italy in 2006.