USA’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the latest to chime in on the Folarin Balogun red card decision and believes that there should be a way for the USMNT to appeal it.
Balogun was shown a straight red card for a late challenge in USA’s win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, meaning he will miss the World Cup last 16 tie against Belgium.
Although replays show that the Monaco forward clearly stepped on the back of Tarik Muharemovic, some believe that he didn’t deserve to be sent off, including Rubio.
Balogun got sent off for this tackle, Messi did not… Is it one rule for Messi and another for everyone else? 🙄
Marco Rubio says USMNT were ‘screwed over’ by red card
The red card didn’t mean much in the end as Mauricio Pochettino’s side did beat Bosnia, but fans of the host nation felt that they were harshly treated.
Pochettino said it was “never” a red card and completely accidental while Rubio claimed that there should be an appeal process.
He said: “It was great. They got screwed with that red card. There needs to be an appeal process for that.”
Other US officials also had their say, with Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr calling the decision a “total bunk”.
As a result of the red card, Balogun will only miss one game, however, defeat to Belgium would end their run in the competition.
Beating Bosnia was the first time that the USMNT had won a knockout game since 2002 and that was the same year the nation achieved its best finish in the World Cup, reaching the quarter finals.
They technically finished third in the inaugral World Cup in 1930, but that was invite only and saw only 13 teams compete.
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