Why the USMNT can't appeal Folarin Balogun's suspension after his controversial World Cup red card
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Folarin Balogun will miss the United States' World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium after receiving a red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to a foul deemed accidental by the USMNT coach but confirmed by VAR.
- USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino disagreed with the red card decision, calling it a normal, unintentional football action, and initially hoped to appeal the suspension.
- FIFA rules do not allow appeals for direct red cards that result in automatic one-match suspensions unless the red card is for violent conduct, which carries a different appeals process and longer bans.
- Balogun was visibly upset by the decision but remains positive as the U.S. team has advanced to the next round.
- The situation contrasts with cases like Cristiano Ronaldo's, where violent conduct red cards led to longer bans that were successfully appealed and reduced.
