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.
By the way, in regard to Balogun, the reason he's being allowed to play against Belgium is because of the VAR infringement and the officials not following the proper procedures. Since the US couldn't file an appeal, FIFA instead applied Article 27, which temporarily pauses the suspension and places Balogun on probation for the next year. That means if he commits a similar offense within that period, the suspended one-match ban will automatically be enforced.
Una más de la FIFA:
Nunca antes se había visto que un arbitro detuviera el juego para esperar el regreso de un jugador que salió a recibir asistencia médica.
Argentina no puede ni vencer a Cabo Verde sin la ayuda de árbitros corruptos.
🤯 LA CORRUPCIÓN POR MESSI
• Messi le dice bajito al árbitro si puede tirar
• El árbitro jamás toca el silbato
• Vozinha estaba en su palo poniendo la barrera
• La Barrera completa mirando atrás y saltan a último momento
• Messi es un tramposo