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USMNT cannot appeal Folarin Balogun red card, he could face extended World Cup ban - sources
ESPN • • general
Key Points:
- Folarin Balogun received a red card in the USMNT's round-of-32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting in an automatic one-match suspension that will cause him to miss the World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium.
- The USMNT has no option to appeal Balogun's red card, as FIFA rules state that red cards at the tournament are not subject to appeal beyond the VAR review conducted during the match.
- Balogun could face a longer suspension if FIFA's disciplinary panel decides his challenge on Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic warrants additional punishment, but no decision has been made yet.
- The red card call by referee Raphael Claus, following a VAR review, has been widely criticized, with US coach Mauricio Pochettino arguing the challenge was a normal part of football and disputing the dismissal.
- Despite the controversy, Muharemovic required lengthy treatment after being injured by Balogun's studs, and the US team will now prepare to face Belgium in Seattle aiming to advance to the quarterfinals.
