Balogun speaks for first time after red card drama against Belgium

Of all the stories through the first month of the World Cup, this one took the cake. It was by far the biggest headline of the knockout stages and in the blink of an eye it is no longer an issue. For Folarin Balogun, it really never was an issue as he told reporters following the United State’s loss to Belgium.

Flo allowed to play

For as promising as it all looked coming out of the group stages, things came crashing down in the round of 16. Mauricio Pochettino’s were dealt a dose of reality playing a team that looked at class above them.

Was it the quality on the pitch? Was it the extra motivation of seeing one of the US players get their red card “lifted?” Whatever it was, a Belgium side that’s golden generation is fading ripped the US defense to shreds, and after the game it was time for the squad to do some self reflecting.

The headline going into last game was FIFA’s decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play after being shown a red card in the second half of the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Belgium were outraged at the decision that left the rest of the world scratching their heads. Politics and sports seemed to mix in a sinister decision that put the integrity of the game in question.

Balogun, Garcia have a chat

The US striker was a pawn in this international scandal involving Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. After the match, Balogun spoke to reporters, but didn’t have a whole lot to say. “I accepted the decision when I was given the red card, and then I also accepted the decision when I was told I could play,” he said. “There’s not too much else I can really say on the matter. I think all that being said, Belgium were a better team today. They played much better than us, I feel. Today, we didn’t have a good game. For me personally, as I said, I accepted the decision.”

While Balogun didn’t have a whole lot to offer in terms of insight to the media, he did make sure to go over to Belgium coach Rudi Garcia following the match. The two exchanged cordial words, and Garcia gave some insight into the context of the conversation. “He came to talk to me [after the last-16 match],” Garcia said of Balogun via an interpreter. “I told him – it is not his fault, he’s not the one to blame. I really appreciate the intention … I appreciate this player.”

Belgium are moving on to play Spain while the dream of a deep World Cup run on home soil dies for the USMNT. They will have to pick themselves up and dust themselves off knowing that when it comes to competing with some of the best countries in the world, there is still a long way to go, red card recensions or not.

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