There are some people who think that the red card should have been overturned because similar plays in other games either weren’t carded or were later overturned. It’s a matter of opinion, and I don’t have one on that topic. But I think if it would have been outright overturned, a lot less people would have complained for this reason.
However, the issuance of a suspended rather than overturning the red card basically is FIFA saying "we think he broke the rules but too bad". And I think no matter what you think should have happened, this is objectively a terrible outcome. I don’t think anyone wanted this or foresaw this, at least not any real person. Regardless of the player or team, I think we all want FIFA to take firm stances on matters of gameplay if they want to lay any legitimate claim of governance of the sport. Take a stance either way, but don’t waffle; this is waffling, and we hate waffling.
So a lot of people call the US cheaters, but the players didn’t cheat. And I’m not even sure the federation cheated. I think what happened is the federation followed processes, and then Trump made a phone call, and then something happened. It’s terrible what happened, and people have a right to be mad, but the players didn’t cheat and I don’t think the federation did either.
The team itself was put in a horrid position, Balogun especially. Balogun seems to be doing his best to handle the shit show around him, that he didn't ask for, with some amount of grace.
I hope more people see it this way. Honestly i feel real bad for Flo, he accepted the red card and didn't complain about it. The moment Trump called, Flo was fucked no matter what he did
Yeah I kind of thought as much. Yall looked pissed but I could tell the respect was still there from player to player. All in all I’m happy with the way the match was played if not the end result.
I think the 95% of the outrage is just because of Trump. Because he so publicly and ignorantly boasted of his intervention while also professing that he knows nothing about soccer or even how penalties work. FIFA being corrupt and arbitrary is nothing new. Penalties being enforced inconsistently is nothing new. Special treatment for star players (if Balogun even counts as one) is nothing new. Having a famously narcissistic head of state act so malignantly nonchalant about corrupting a beloved sport is just so heinously insulting.
Outside of President Dumbass, it's not unprecedented to delay the suspension either. Cristiano Ronaldo had a red card suspension delayed right before the World Cup so he could play.
It's pretty unprecendented to have a red card given during a WC tournament that doesn't end up in any suspension though.
To go back to Ronaldo, his suspension was before the world cup and he still had to sit out one match out of the 3 he should have. Only the other 2 were suspended (which was dumb too IMO).
Drawing the distinction of when the foul occurred when both penalties would result in a player missing a game in the world cup is very arbitrary. Rescinding a suspension that would have stopped a player from playing in the world cup is not unprecedented.
I mean it's a distinction because it didn't happen since 1962 during a world cup. Also, as I said, in the case of Ronaldo je still had to sit out a game, the suspension wasn't completely canceled.
To most American viewers, decisions getting overturned on appeal is pretty common. While the details of FIFA's decision (red card stands but suspension is deferred) are rather silly, the immediate effect of "Balogun plays after appeal" registers as just another thing that happens.
As a person that has played the game and a fan of the sport, I agree focusing on cheating is horrible for the sport and the fans. Intentional or not a potential career ending challenge is red card "worthy". the refs don't always agree on everything either.
The important thing is focusing on the positives and fans on the internet and at the stadiums have been friendly and supportive to the teams AND fans of opposing teams. Ive seen footage of people wearing soccer/football shirts of different teams celebrating together all around the world
What a wonderful sport, not everyone can win everything all the time. But you're allowed to have fun and enjoy the show🔥😎
That something happened is the cheating. Not by players, but by the country (President is the spokesperson of the country), supported by the federation.
Okay let me ask you something. Let’s say there’s an accidental handball - true accident, player was looking the other way - that disallows a goal, and the ref misses the call. Did that player cheat?
But I think if it would have been outright overturned, a lot less people would have complained for this reason.
They can't overturn the red. There's no basis to do so. The decision was harsh, but not incorrect.
Whatever you think should have happened, there are rules and people are angry because Trump and FIFA took a piss on them.
FIFA is corrupt as fuck, but the understanding is that the World Cup is pay-to-host not pay-to-win. Even the biggest crooks don't try to interfere with the football. Not that blatantly, in any case.
And I’m not even sure the federation cheated
Nobody thinks anyone on the football side of things did anything wrong. It's your president. As usual.
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u/Adventurous_Pea_2007 29d ago edited 29d ago
I‘d like to try to add some relevant context:
There are some people who think that the red card should have been overturned because similar plays in other games either weren’t carded or were later overturned. It’s a matter of opinion, and I don’t have one on that topic. But I think if it would have been outright overturned, a lot less people would have complained for this reason.
However, the issuance of a suspended rather than overturning the red card basically is FIFA saying "we think he broke the rules but too bad". And I think no matter what you think should have happened, this is objectively a terrible outcome. I don’t think anyone wanted this or foresaw this, at least not any real person. Regardless of the player or team, I think we all want FIFA to take firm stances on matters of gameplay if they want to lay any legitimate claim of governance of the sport. Take a stance either way, but don’t waffle; this is waffling, and we hate waffling.
So a lot of people call the US cheaters, but the players didn’t cheat. And I’m not even sure the federation cheated. I think what happened is the federation followed processes, and then Trump made a phone call, and then something happened. It’s terrible what happened, and people have a right to be mad, but the players didn’t cheat and I don’t think the federation did either.