Folarin Balogun’s Red Card During USA’s Round Of 32 World Cup Victory Over Bosnia Raises Eyebrows

Many eyebrows are being raised over a red card shown to USA’s Nigerian-born striker, Folarin Balogun during the hosts’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Sports247 reports that, while the Americans continue to celebrate their second ever knock-out victory at the Mundial, many of their ex-players, coaches, fans, administrators and media personalities insist that the AS Monaco of France hitman’s sending off was a mistake.

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A heated debate began minutes after the 24-year-old Balogun was shown a straight red card for stepping on the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic in the second-half of Wednesday night’s game in Santa Clara, which left the striker visibly distressed at referee Raphael Claus’ decision.

In his absence, the U.S. rallied against the adversity and added to the 1-0 lead Balogun himself had given them earlier, with Malik Tillman’s late sumptuous free kick sealing the victory and a place versus Belgium in the last 16 on Monday.

However, with the red card already brandished and the team still managing to eke out victory against the Europeans, the next line of discussion is about FIFA’s rules that prevent appeals against expulsions at the World Cup (which means Balogun will miss the clash with Belgium).

An American analyst, Kieran Jackson, senior sports writer with The Independent, noted in part: “Despite the USA’s accomplished and well-deserved victory, there was a hot-button issue. Folarin Balogun’s second-half sending-off was clearly the major talking point.

“By the black-and-white FIFA rulebook, it is not possible to appeal a red card. Article 66.4 of the regulations states: ‘A sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures.’

“Not only is it not possible to appeal a verdict which bemused so many pundits and fans alike, but the wording insinuates that the only possible modification to Balogun’s one-match sanction is an increase to two or three games (which) is somewhat baffling for a stage as grand as the World Cup.”

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