Harsh VAR Call Costs USA Balogun
A controversial red card for Folarin Balogun raises questions about officiating consistency as USA wins.
USA striker Folarin Balogun was controversially sent off during the team's World Cup victory over Bosnia, igniting a fierce debate over VAR intervention and officiating standards that could reshape the tournament's narrative. The dismissal occurred late in the match after a VAR review prompted the referee to examine a tackle on defender Tarik Muharemovic. The official ultimately issued a straight red card for what was described as a leg scrape, a decision that sparked immediate outrage when replays showed the incident in brutal, frame-by-frame slow motion.
Despite the sudden numerical disadvantage, the United States held their composure to secure a 2-1 win, with Malik Tillman’s free-kick proving decisive in sealing the three points. The red card carries heavy weight beyond this match; Balogun will miss at least one upcoming game, and a potential longer ban looms under FIFA’s strict disciplinary code. Crucially, no appeals are allowed against the decision, leaving the USA with no recourse to challenge the sanction or mitigate the damage to their squad depth.
