Soccer <\/p>\n
When United States player Folarin Balogun received a red card last week in his team\u2019s World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, it left a bad taste in his mouth along with many American fans following the team.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, though, FIFA suspended his red card, making him available for Monday night\u2019s Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle. The decision transcended soccer, as the NFL world had plenty of strong reactions as well.<\/p>\n
FIFA\u2019s statement according to ESPN, which was put out on the organization\u2019s website<\/a>, said, \u201cBy operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one [1] year.\u201d<\/p>\n Former longtime ESPN anchor Trey Wingo had some thoughts on the situation as well. Wingo posted on X<\/a>, \u201cWell that certainly changes things. And for anyone saying this is beyond the pale\u2026remember 2 things: it\u2019s FIFA \u2013 and the did this for Ronaldo allowing him to play in the 1st two games for Portugal.\u201d<\/p>\n Well that certainly changes things. And for anyone saying this is beyond the pale\u2026remember 2 things: it\u2019s FIFA \u2013 and the did this for Ronaldo allowing him to play in the 1st two games for Portugal https:\/\/t.co\/VLoq6p7XMz<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/inGaCmFH08<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 trey wingo (@wingoz) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Harold R. Kuntz, sports anchor for Fox 4 Kansas City, wrote on Sunday<\/a>, \u201cWow. The fact that it was the Global Governing body going against their own system \u2026 that they didn\u2019t even follow .. is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n Wow. The fact that it was the Global Governing body going against their own system \u2026 that they didn\u2019t even follow .. is incredible. https:\/\/t.co\/Ri8WWf62pT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n NFL podcast host Sam Monson put things a bit matter-of-factly<\/a> when it came to Balogun and his red card.<\/p>\n He wrote, \u201cImo the red card was bs, so it\u2019s the correct outcome, but that process is a complete farce. Just like Ronaldo being allowed play, it\u2019s complete arbitrary bs.\u201d<\/p>\n Imo the red card was bs, so it\u2019s the correct outcome, but that process is a complete farce.<\/p>\n Just like Ronaldo being allowed play, it\u2019s complete arbitrary bs. https:\/\/t.co\/JCnENhNQ03<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Barstool Sports host Dan Katz, who is better known as \u201cBig Cat\u201d online, sarcastically tipped his cap<\/a> toward FIFA.<\/p>\n Katz wrote, \u201cShout out FIFA. I think we can all agree FIFA is a great organization that always does the right thing and in no way is this about it directly benefiting USMNT.\u201d<\/p>\n Shout out FIFA. I think we can all agree FIFA is a great organization that always does the right thing and in no way is this about it directly benefiting USMNT<\/p>\n \u2014 Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Benjamin Allbright, who covers the Denver Broncos for Denver radio station KOA, also seemed to take note<\/a> that the red card just wasn\u2019t deserved.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean that red card was BS in the first place and this is a tacit admission of that, but to do that to a team like Belgium 24 hours before the game is kind of\u2026.yeah. I\u2019ll take it since we\u2019re the beneficiaries, but we all know what it is,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM:<\/strong> PFN\u2019s FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator<\/a><\/p>\n Retired NFL legend Tom Brady also had a quick comment on Balogun, indicating that he\u2019s expecting the U.S. player to score against Belgium.<\/p>\n We\u2019re adding a Balogun goal to this list tomorrow \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 https:\/\/t.co\/8duvUZUwqU<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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