The USA have had a fantastic World Cup campaign so far.
Indeed, Mauricio Pochettino’s side were very impressive in the group stages, and now, they’re through to the last 16 after a win against Bosnia.
However, the game against Bosnia was marred by one moment – a red card for US talisman, Folarin Balogun.
Balogun was sent off for a high challenge on an opposition player, and according to Landon Donovan, speaking on his podcast, this was a ridiculous decision.
Balogun got sent off for this tackle, Messi did not… Is it one rule for Messi and another for everyone else? 🙄
Landon Donovan hits out at Folarin Balogun red card decision
Donovan didn’t mince his words when speaking about Balogun being sent off.
The former LA Galaxy star went as far as to call the referee a ‘moron’ and an ‘idiot’ for sending Balogun off for a challenge that had no intent behind it.
“In the game, it was a total nothing play. And then all of a sudden, I’m like doing something or turned around or whatever, and someone is like, ‘oh, they’re going to look at this,’” Donovan said.
“I’m like, look at what? Like, did someone elbow someone on the field or like what?
“And they start showing this play. And I’m watching it and I’m like, oh, okay, well, I can see why because it looks bad and whatever, but Flo’s looking at the ball. They’re just two players going for the ball.
“You can see in the picture, his eyes are staring at the ball. He doesn’t know, he has no idea. He’s just going to plant. And it’s unfortunate for the defender, the Bosnian defender, because it’s like a nasty play. But sometimes nasty plays happen. You jump, two guys head each other, like, things happen.
“So I’m like, okay, whatever. Next thing I know, this moron is going to the VAR.
“And you know what that means. Usually means. 99% of the time. But then I’m like, okay, common sense for sure is good. Like, maybe, I don’t know, it’s not common. This guy for sure must have kicked a soccer ball and played a soccer game at some point in his life and is going to go, yeah, that was pretty, that looks bad, but obviously there was no intent there. And then he comes back and gives him a red card.
“And my first thought was, yeah, okay, obviously what it means for the game, if we advance what it means. But he just ruined Flo’s World Cup. Like one referee’s moronic decision. This poor guy just got this World Cup ruined by this idiot who has no business refereeing this game”
Donovan is taking it to the extreme here by calling the referee an ‘idiot’, but he does have a point.
Lionel Messi put in a very similar challenge against Algeria in his first game, and while his challenge went unpunished, Balogun was sent off.
That red card could well spell the end of Balogun and the USA’s tournament, and, as Donovan suggests, that would be a cruel way for such a fantastic run to end.
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