USA forward Balogun receives red card after VAR review in World Cup win over Bosnia
Folarin Balogen was sent off after video review for stepping on an opponent's leg during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, prompting criticism of VAR consistency.
United States striker Folarin Balogun was shown a red card in the 61st minute of the World Cup round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after video assistant referee (VAR) officials determined he had stepped on the back of opponent Tarik Muharemovic's leg. The decision left the U.S. team with ten men for the remainder of the 2-0 win and will suspend Balogun for the upcoming round-of-16 match against Belgium.
Former U.S. men’s national team forward Herculez Gomez criticized the ruling, saying the review showed clear contact and describing the VAR process as inconsistent.
"With the circumstantial action, you put it into slow motion, you put it into freeze frame, you take it into VAR, and it looks terrible. It looks like he comes across the Achilles tendon of his opponent and it’s an easy red to dissect," Gomez said on ESPN.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino also expressed disagreement, stating the incident did not merit a red card. Gomez compared the decision to a similar incident involving Argentina captain Lionel Messi, which did not result in a card, highlighting perceived uneven application of the rules.