Puck

A critical element that the "rulebook purists" arguing Balogun deserved a red card are conveniently overlooking: BALOGUN was the one who was challenged from behind. The Bosnian player played *through* Balogun from behind and placed himself in the path of Balogun's natural step. When he begins taking that step, Balogun has no idea the Bosnian player would even be in front of him. In that sense, you can't really even consider his move a "challenge." It was simply a step that incidentally landed in the same place the opponent's foot did. In fact, the reason Balogun's step came down so hard is *because* the Bosnian player challenged into him and knocked him off balance. This is not "reckless" or "excessive force" by any stretch of the imagination. The red card was *obviously* unjustified from the outset. The only thing FIFA got wrong here is not immediately suspending the red card after the match.

🚨 BREAKING: RBFA say they are "astonished" Flo Balogun can play against them and "investigating all potential options". "The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time). "FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. "However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup. "Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed." "The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. "The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations. "In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options."

lots of people who don't watch football weighing in on the Balogun thing. let me summarize yes it was a wrongly-granted red during the game. it wasn't serious foul play or a reckless tackle. he was playing the ball. he was unlucky and the intent was not there. anyone watching it live agreed - never a red. it shouldn't have even been a VAR intervention because it wasn't an obvious error. the yellow card originally granted was more than enough. so on the merits - not a red card, not even close. now, can the red card be appealed or suspended in the World Cup finals? yes, this is an explicit written rule, FIFA's Article 27. Ronaldo notably benefited from this in this very World Cup, avoiding a 2 match suspension. Otamendi of Argentina and Caicedo of Ecuador were also due to miss their opening WC matches and had those red card suspensions waived as well. so this kind of thing absolutely happens. there absolutely is precedent. what's the difference? Balogun's red card and suspension happened _during_ the World Cup rather than in qualifiers. that's the only difference. now do red cards get appealed in club competition? all the time. in fact, every major league has red card appeals, because red cards are sometimes incorrectly granted! no one who watches football thinks "red cards given on the pitch are absolutely final and incorruptible". red cards get appealed all the time. they are appealable in: - the English Premier League - the FA cup - La Liga - Copa del Rey - Serie A - Bundesliga - Ligue Un - MLS this is how I know so many of those weighing in don't watch football, because red card appeals are incredibly common in club competition. in fact they are universal, aside from CL. why are international tournaments like the World Cup different? for the very simple reason that there isn't as much time in between matches to have a formal appeals process. (whereas in club you have a week between matches). it's not like the WC or CL have some kind of philosophy that refs are absolutely incorruptible. Anyone who watched Italy v South Korea in 2002 or England Germany 2010 knows that refs can fail terribly. could the FIFA WC add an appeals process for red cards? easily, and they probably will. this incident could well be the catalyst. and when it happens, and the game gets fairer overall, you can thank Folarin Balogun and President Donald J Trump.