A critical element that the "rulebook purists" arguing Balogun deserved a red card are conveniently overlooking:
BALOGUN was the one who was challenged from behind.
The Bosnian player played *through* Balogun from behind and placed himself in the path of Balogun's natural step.
When he begins taking that step, Balogun has no idea the Bosnian player would even be in front of him. In that sense, you can't really even consider his move a "challenge." It was simply a step that incidentally landed in the same place the opponent's foot did.
In fact, the reason Balogun's step came down so hard is *because* the Bosnian player challenged into him and knocked him off balance.
This is not "reckless" or "excessive force" by any stretch of the imagination.
The red card was *obviously* unjustified from the outset. The only thing FIFA got wrong here is not immediately suspending the red card after the match.
When the 2026 World Cup was announced for the United States back in 2018, I told myself there was no way I’d miss it. I was going to be there in person, experiencing a World Cup on home soil and I know so many of you felt the exact same way.
Fast forward to now, and the ticket prices are completely astronomical. Outrageously unaffordable. What was supposed to be the dream of a lifetime has been priced out of reach for regular fans like me. I’m going to miss watching my country host the biggest event in sports… something I may never get to experience again in my lifetime.
Yes, they’re going to make money off this massive event on U.S. soil. But the greed has gone too far. It’s ruining the beautiful game and turning it into something only the wealthy can enjoy. A World Cup should be for everyone not just those who can drop thousands without blinking.
This is an absolute shame.