The replay stopped. The referee walked over. And just like that, Folarin Balogun went from USA’s World Cup hero to a guy watching the final 25 minutes from the tunnel.
Balogun got a straight red card in the second half of USA’s knockout round game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. The call came after a VAR review for a tackle that originally didn’t even draw a free kick. Now the USMNT striker faces at least a one-game ban, and the team has a decision to make about whether to appeal.
The moment happened in the 65th minute. Balogun and Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic were jostling for position when their legs got tangled. On slow-motion replay, Balogun’s cleat scraped down the back of Muharemovic’s calf. It looked bad in freeze-frame. It looked a lot less intentional in real time.
Brazilian referee Raphael Claus didn’t blow his whistle initially. Both players went down injured, and it was only after the play stopped that VAR called him to the monitor. Once he saw the super slow-mo version, the red card came out.
Fans and analysts were quick to point out the obvious inconsistency. Lionel Messi did something similar in Argentina’s group stage match against Algeria. The Argentine captain caught an opponent with his studs, same kind of leg scrape. He didn’t get a card. Not yellow. Not red. Nothing.
Former England striker Sue Smith called it harsh on BBC. “When it stops like that you think one hundred percent red card,” she said. “But I think when you watch it in real time it’s really harsh. He’s clearly just looking to protect the ball, get his body around and he’s just planting his foot. It’s just unfortunate where he plants it.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for the USA. They were up 1-0 thanks to Balogun’s first-half goal. Now they had to survive a half-hour shorthanded with a spot in the Round of 16 on the line. The Americans face Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
Balogun’s suspension covers at least one match for serious foul play. FIFA’s disciplinary committee could tack on more games if they decide the offense warrants it. The U.S. Soccer Federation can appeal the decision, but there’s no guarantee it does any good.
What makes this sting is the lack of consistency. Either that’s a red card or it isn’t. If it’s a red for Balogun, it should’ve been a red for Messi. If it’s not a red for Messi, it shouldn’t be one for Balogun. Simple enough. Except it never works that way, does it?
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