Why was Folarin Balogun sent off for the USMNT? Red card controversy

USMNT striker Folarin Balogun was sent off during his team’s crucial World Cup knockout game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.

Balogun scored a well-taken second-half goal against Bosnia, putting the US into a deserved lead in the round of 32 clash. But Balogun’s day ended early when he was given a controversial red card early in the second half.

He made a clumsy challenge on Tarik Muharemovic, landing awkwardly on the Bosnian defender’s boot. The referee initially gave just a foul but was instructed to look at the decision again by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). After a second look, referee Raphael Claus opted to show Balogun the red card.

In his on-field explanation, Claus said that Balogun’s challenge constituted “serious foul play” and he received a straight red. The US was leading 1-0 at the time.

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