Hey Florian @balogun , hear me out my brother in footballโฝ๏ธ
this is not about whether the red card was right or wrong anymore. That debate will never end. This is about the integrity of football.
If I were in your boots, Iโd refuse to play against Belgium. Not because I think youโre a bad player or because you asked for any of this, i think you are great, but because politics has now entered the game.
A President of the United States publicly intervened, FIFA softened your suspension, and UEFA says FIFA crossed a red line. If you step onto that pitch, fair or unfair, millions of people will forever question whether you should have been there.
Donโt forget that your career is in Europe, the home of the worldโs biggest clubs, the highest level of football, and fans who treat this sport almost like a religion. They care deeply about the integrity of the game. If it were me, I wouldnโt risk carrying this controversy for the rest of your career over a single match. One act of principle today could earn more respect than a hundred goals tomorrow.
Be a hero, donโt get branded as a corrupt loser, fans all over the world will remember your choice. Forever. One game can change all your career and life, choose wisely.
Iran couldnโt get visas. They didnโt intervene.
A Somalian referee couldnโt get a visa. They didnโt intervene.
Fans of Muslim countries couldnโt get a visa. They didnโt intervene.
Ronaldo got a red card. Intervened.
USA player got a red card. Intervened.
F*** FIFA. Corrupt.