Folarin Balogun Receives Controversial Red Card in World Cup Match

Folarin Balogun’s teammates defended him after he received a red card in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. The incident occurred during the World Cup match when Balogun stepped on defender Tarik Muharemovic’s right ankle.

The red card was issued by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, following a VAR review. This decision means Balogun will miss the Round of 16 match against Belgium.

FIFA official stated that teams cannot appeal a red card or the resulting suspension. According to FIFA rules, a sending-off results in an automatic suspension from the next match. Additional suspensions and disciplinary measures may also be imposed.

Teammate Weston McKennie criticized the lack of an appeal process, calling it “bogus.” He expressed disagreement with the referee’s decision, noting that similar actions in the tournament went unpunished.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino argued that Balogun’s action was not intentional. He stated, “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.”

Balogun is the third player to be sent off after scoring in a World Cup knockout match, following Brazil’s Ronaldinho in 2002 and France’s Zinedine Zidane in 2006.

United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, stands by after being issued a red card by Referee Raphael Claus, during the World Cup round of 32 match. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

This red card marks the fifth in U.S. squad World Cup history, following Eric Wynalda in 1990, Fernando Clavijo in 1994, and both Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope in 2006.