My wife couldn’t believe my torture
WORLD CUP 2026 THREAD
- Thread starter Snagglefoot
- Start date
Japanese
$50 site donor 2026
Too funny -> FTW! 
Japanese
$50 site donor 2026
The Balogun fault that got him a red card. It was unintentional. However, it could've resulted easily as broken ankle.
Grabbing the guys shirt was unintentional? Whats next USA looses and phone call for a rematch.
By golly, I knew there was was something about his looks. I used Happy Jet-Puffed to describe him.Not running around in saunas for 90 straight minutes, I am quite sure
PS: I'm officially naming that Norwegian guy Smiling Catfish. This is with all my love.
I saw the play and thought that the ankle injury could have been serious. Do you think the red card issued because just his level of play was too physical and this kind of potentially bad injury results? I thought the official reviewed it carefully and these crews aren’t exactly slackers to get World Cup duty so I landed on giving the benefit of the doubt to the ref. But those who are more educated in soccer - would love to hear why this seemingly unintentional thing was red card worthy. My sentiment above is just a guess. TIA.
This is why it should have been a yellow card in the first place. The rest of your post is silly and chip on the shoulder or something.
The England Mexico game was awesome and well worth catching the highlights on today’s review.
Why is any politician getting involved in a sporting decision? That is just wrong on every level IMO. I saw the incident and IMO it was the right call by the ref. While it may not be a popular opinion it is neither silly or a chip on the shoulder.
It happens more than you think. These guys talk. Right or wrong. FIFA was not forced either way.
We disagree on the call, not a big deal in the scheme of things.
FWIW I thought the call was ok but the commentators, granted Americans but all former players so they have a professional viewpoint, thought it was a yellow card because unintentional. I am not arguing with you but what did you see in terms of intent to injure or otherwise be reckless?
Didn’t they pick up a red card as well for Ronaldo?
Would be great to have a non-reductionist discussion. CNBC felt compelled to reference birth right cirizenship in their coverage so apparently the media will not be helpful here.
Thank you.
Its mild compared to the baseball steroid hearings pushed by Senators George Mitchell and Henry Waxman. They stopped the whole US Government to grandstand on TV hearings. Then after all their contorted faces, raised voices and and phony outrage, they gave the pros hugs and smiled for photos and got autographs immediately after the hearings.
The worst call was against Germany. A total joke. The USA (temporarily) lost a player. Germany lost out of the whole tournament. Can't fix that.
Here is ESPN's take. I agree with it:
Who wants to win if victory becomes tainted by murky interventions that take place without any explanation or transparency?
Four days ago, FIFA made it clear that there was no appeals process for Balogun and that he would serve a one-match suspension -- case closed. The optics undermine the integrity of the competition: If you are a big player or play for a major nation -- and as co-host, the U.S. is certainly the latter -- the usual rules can be bent into whatever shape is required to achieve a desired outcome.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...fits-fifa-letting-balogun-hook-not-even-usmnt
Who wants to win if victory becomes tainted by murky interventions that take place without any explanation or transparency?
Four days ago, FIFA made it clear that there was no appeals process for Balogun and that he would serve a one-match suspension -- case closed. The optics undermine the integrity of the competition: If you are a big player or play for a major nation -- and as co-host, the U.S. is certainly the latter -- the usual rules can be bent into whatever shape is required to achieve a desired outcome.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...fits-fifa-letting-balogun-hook-not-even-usmnt
People IN GENERAL OUTSIDE THIS THREAD who don't even know soccer are saying this harms soccer...........I take another view. Ultimately it helps soccer by clarifying all the rules. ESPN is and has been poltical even before Disney.
US MLS overrules and changes red card disciplines, as do other leagues.
I don't want to get off track and get this thread of all things closed because politics, so I will end my post there.
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Yes but the rules actually allow for appeal - the other poster above found them. They picked up a red card for Ronaldo a few days before the tournament.
Belgium is going to appeal. They should, it should be transparent, and it should be decided today before the match if at all possible.
I just wonder how much outrage there is because of Trump’s involvement vs if FIFA did what it did without such involvement. Not trying to gin up needless controversy it’s just that having watched the game, the fairly unanimous commentators opinion is that it was not warranted. One of the Bosnian players even came over to console Balogun (sportsmanship throughout the tournament has generally been excellent). Players on the other squad wouldn’t generally be expected to do that.
Well, I don't know if that's a jab thrown at me, but I coached youth soccer for 12+ years, I am a former certified referee, I have attended Team USA games in person, and incidentally my son is a high school soccer coach. I kinda "know soccer".
Also, ESPN sees it the same way I do.
