Andy M

If it's about numbers, I'm probably serious.
Otherwise, not so much.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@jmhorp You could have just said "in the last month". They hadn't played a competitive match since the Turkey game.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@flock49600209 @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen I think we agree on the most important parts of the whole situation.
Maybe not on the foul though - although it did all happen very quickly with no time for conscious decision making. But, for me, B makes a final stretch for the ball long after getting the ball is impossible.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC His right leg stretches out in a split-second decision, but a misguided one, to try to play the ball. If he was just regaining his balance the right foot could just go straight to ground.
He's a little unlucky but the rules apply to everyone. Well, until now.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @BlndrnWndrknd @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen That was something else. Mexico went too one dimensional - just cross and cross and cross again.
Tuchel saw it coming and put the 6 foot 7 guy on to deal with it.
Over to Keir Starmer now if England want Quansah for the next game 😉

[Andy M @andylmo]

@BlndrnWndrknd @RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen I've watched it and watched it again. That's what makes me so sure about the action of the right foot.
The simple abuse just shows you have nothing of substance to add. In matters of USA v Belgium at the World Cup, which of us do you think might be more biased?

[Andy M @andylmo]

@JCA_BelAir @sualbu @itscalebadams In terms of billions of dollars acquired through abuse of his position, it isn't even close. World wide. In all of history. Trump by miles and miles.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen Maybe the great irony in all this is that Trump doesn't even think Balogun should be a US citizen.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen The whole competition is inevitably controversial. There are eliminated teams nursing grievances about decisions. They got no special dispensation. Your president makes one call to FIFA and here we are.
That last bit is why the world is angry about this.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen It was really painful - that's why he reacted like he was in pain. That you consider the possibility of ligament damage is exactly why the red card was correct.
Even FIFA haven't said it was wrong.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen Up till now you've seemed reasonable. Do you not think studs raking down your calf and then standing on, and buckling, your ankle is going to hurt? He wasn't faking anything.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen The thing that has triggered the reaction is the widely held expectation that Trump and Infantino were not going to hold a fair competition. We've been sharing jokes about it since the draw. And here we are - no reason for either of them to get involved in the incident.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen No you're right. Provided that they were both making a realistic legal challenge for the ball. Balogun had no chance of getting that ball.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@usmntonly Everyone doesn't hate you. Although that level of paranoia does make you a proper football country.
Everyone does though hate corruption, FIFA, and your president.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@BlndrnWndrknd @RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen The raised foot is not caused by any bump from the defender. He's trying to reach a ball that's way beyond reaching. Why is the foot in the air? Why is the foot stretching towards the ball? It's really not just regaining his balance.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen I do have some sympathy for Balogun because it all happens very quickly with no real thinking time. But it's a foul - and it's 'serious foul play' because it endangers an opponent.
That's the rules and they have to apply to everyone.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen 1 - we can't use super slo-mo but you have found 1 still image. Ok.
2 - The defender has every right to go into contact - this ain't basketball
3 - That right foot gets nowhere near the ball. It's a foul - you surely see that. And it endangers the opponent - red card.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@tancredipalmeri And all that after direct intervention by their openly corrupt president.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @AFC_Law @JacobsBen So the defender pushes from behind then quickly jumps in front of 'Balo' and for some weird reason slyly tries to break his own ankle?
Nonsense. That right foot at no point has any chance of getting near the ball. Reckless and endangering the opponent.
Corruption, as predicted.

[Andy M @andylmo]

@RobetsLLC @2016disgrace @Paul8MuJ @AFC_Law @JacobsBen The defender was in front of him *before* Balogun's right foot left the ground. He didn't slide his foot under anything. Why would he do that?
It's clearly dangerous - did you see the result of it?

[Andy M @andylmo]

@2016disgrace @Paul8MuJ @AFC_Law @JacobsBen It's reckless and dangerous. What is he trying to do? His foot is nowhere near the ball. Endangering the opponent = red card.
"A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play."