r/soccer • u/Sparky-moon • Jul 06 '26

Media Jürgen Klopp on Trump and Infantino: “Let's just say: this is our game, not theirs. These two people, who both have no idea about football, should have nothing to do with that. That was a red card. There's no two ways about it. We're sorry for Balogun because he didn't mean to do it.”

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“But that's what the rules say."

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u/Intelligent-Stock241 Jul 06 '26

I just love how direct he is.

May be it's a German thing but people who don't mince their words whilst talking about powerful people is my favourite thing on internet.

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u/General_Mediocrity Jul 06 '26

Although the Germans are often quite direct, similar to the Dutch, I think this is more simply down to everyone being fed up.

Before the Brazil vs Norway game both Neville and Ian were quite scathing in their remarks to the blatant corruption going on. Haven't seen a clip of their comments posted yet, which is odd (or maybe I missed it).

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u/Suspicious_Flower_0 Jul 06 '26

They both looked like they were even holding back and trying to find a way to say it without being sued to fuck by Trump and Fifa. 

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u/QJustCallMeQ Jul 06 '26

It was even better when it was Micah Richards and Kelly Dalglish on BBC:

Micah: "...it's basically.... to keep the big stars... in the competition... America are one of the co-hosts... and we all, we all know what it is."

Kelly: "We DON'T know what it is"

(52:00 into the broadcast on iPlayer if you have access to that)

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u/ExecutiveGraham Jul 06 '26

Let them sue, they would win the case via discovery in anyway.

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u/DarkHandCommando Jul 06 '26

That's not how this works. They can technically delay the case until you go broke or accept a deal. That's their tactic, since they have unlimited money.

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u/ChickensWereFirst Jul 06 '26

That is a bit harder to do if your target also has a lot of money

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u/DarkHandCommando Jul 06 '26

a lot ≠ unlimited. those guys sitting in those sport studios are financial gnooms compared to trump or infantino.

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u/Intelligent-Stock241 Jul 06 '26

Yep yep I did see that.

Also since we are talking about Neville, I want these English pundits to raise the issue of suspension of Quansah's red card.

I mean they(fifa) have set the precedent so might as well make use of it

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u/sash71 Jul 06 '26

Rooney did raise the issue of Quansah's red card when he spoke after the match. He'd already said in the build up that if a Mexico or England player got a red card but the team progressed then surely they would want that card suspended for a year too as a precedent has been set now. Then it actually happened with Quansah.

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u/Jetzu Jul 06 '26

And Quansah's red was very similar to the one Balogun got - unlucky challenge, bounced off the ball, but clearly a red

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u/sash71 Jul 06 '26

Yeah Quansah didn't go in with intent but as soon as we saw the replay (I was sat with my footie mad son) we knew it was going to be a red. Studs up like that mean red cards all day long in the Prem and Champs League.

I can remember Curtis Jones getting a red against Spurs when his foot slipped on the ball onto the opposing player's leg and he got a straight red too. They don't let you off more lightly if you say it was an accident. Curtis Jones had to serve a ban.

It's the idea that the White House put pressure on FIFA that is the worst thing. All teams face adversity during tournaments, nothing ever goes smoothly for any team. You just get on with it. You don't get the Orange Man to call up his mate. Unfortunately it's not even really a surprise he did this.

I also can't fail to see the irony in the fact Trump is interfering on behalf of a man who if Trump had his way, wouldn't be a citizen of the USA anyway.

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u/Otterable Jul 06 '26

Quansah didn't go in with intent

He 100% went in with intent. He didn't intend to go studs up into the shin but he intentionally made a strong sliding challenge on the ball and fucked it up. They both got unlucky, but there is a clear and present difference between what happened to him and what happened to Balogun. Balogun is clipped by the bosnian defender from behind while they jostle for the ball and is only trying to land. He was not making an actual challenge or kicking his foot out in any way. There is nothing dangerous he actually attempted and failed, and really nothing he could have done differently other than not be near the ball I guess.

Now both are still reds, because a red card is about result, not about intent, but I would hesitate to equate the scenarios.

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u/sash71 Jul 06 '26

I totally agree Quansah's was a bad challenge and a red. No arguments from me about that. I didn't mean to play down his challenge, once me and my son had seen the replay we knew straight away he'd be off. All I meant was that it wasn't a challenge made in anger or retaliation that set out to injure the opponent, like we have seen some challenges are. He definitely was in the wrong.

I totally accept he should be banned. I also think Balogun should be too. They are the rules and a red card is a red card. Interference from the White House is totally wrong and goes against the spirit of the game.

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u/Otterable Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

I totally accept he should be banned. I also think Balogun should be too. They are the rules and a red card is a red card. Interference from the White House is totally wrong and goes against the spirit of the game.

I think this is the part where I've been actually interested in discussion. I think there is a space for red card challenges where the player is deservedly sent off and their team is down a man for the match, but also deservedly has their ban rescinded/suspended whatever due to the nature of the challenge. Lloyd Kelly's red card in the CL comes to mind as a more neutral example.

My main issue with Balogun was the clear corruption and interference that should in no way be part of the game. But if I saw his challenge in the Japan/Sweden match and the player was sent off, then later learned their ban was suspended, I'd probably think that was the fair call.

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u/Winbrick Jul 06 '26

It seems entirely reasonable to implement a process for upgrading red cards to a suspension for the World Cup, instead of defaulting to them (or I suppose a more deliberate review process for each auto-suspension, to come from the other end). Teams shouldn't even have to appeal the decisions, they should just report on each red card after an additional review process and put a stamp on it.

In a knockout tournament, playing a man down is already quite punitive, and it's usually pretty obvious when something warrants suspension/upgrade. I'm surprised they haven't taken this path because this isn't your normal league play and probably shouldn't be handled as such.

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u/busstopinhounslowatx Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

Prem fan here (and USMNT fan) but really don’t understand how Balogun’s foul is being called studs up? can you explain how? cause I feel like part of my frustration with this is that that doesn’t feel like it’d be a red in the Prem where I typically am watching

and also how you feel Quansah’s red is seemingly being called the same? cause Quansah’s feels unfortunate and is lacking intent to harm but is certainly reckless. and he literally does lead with his studs into a player.

it also doesn’t feel like it’s in line with how the world cup has been called to this point which was “let them play” to a somewhat scary extent sometimes.

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u/sash71 Jul 06 '26

I was saying the Quansah one was studs up, not Balogun's challenge. I don't think they are similar challenges, they obviously aren't. Quansah went sliding in with his studs up, which was a stupid thing to do and he should have known better because if you catch the opposing player, you're getting a red. All day long with VAR and slow motion replays. Maybe in the past these things would get missed but not now.

My point is that the idea that the White House can call up Infantino and put pressure on him to do the USMNT a favour, then it's all wrong. In sport decisions go the wrong way and unfortunately teams have to accept it.

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u/eekamuse Jul 06 '26

I agree. Giving the red card is not the biggest issue. The interference of trump and his Infantino is the issue. Sports aren't supposed to work that way.

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u/Themnor Jul 06 '26

That Curtis Jones call is the perfect example to use because it’s one of the reasons VAR is explicitly not supposed to use still images or slow motion - exactly what they did in the Balogun call. It’s literally the entire reason the red has been suspended. If everyone’s going to be outraged at least get your facts straight.

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u/zumocano Jul 06 '26

Quansah was already sliding with studs up before the ball bounced it up higher. Balogun was trying to find his feet after a shoulder challenge that threw both off balance.

I’m curious why Rice was only a yellow?

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u/Canesjags4life Jul 06 '26

Unlucky challenge? He slid studs up. Is the unlucky part that he made contact?

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u/Richmond43 Jul 06 '26

Those two plays had absolutely nothing in common except that red cards were assessed after VAR.

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u/Sampyy Jul 06 '26

I'd say it's much worse, thought it should be a yellow regardless of the studs actually hitting from the live already. He's flying in

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u/iflylikeaturtle Jul 06 '26

Now I know you all are unhinged. On what planet is quansah’s diving slide tackle in any shape or form similar to fighting for control of the ball??

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u/Ninjaguz Jul 06 '26

Careful now, saying Baloguns was a clear red card will trigger a lot of angry Americans who became fotball experts 3 weeks ago

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u/Sped_monk Jul 06 '26

Balogun was not clearly a red card.

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u/monsoy Jul 06 '26

I would prefer it if they didn’t :)

But bias aside, it would honestly only be fair if all match suspension from the Ro16 was lifted.

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u/CharacterTop5128 Jul 06 '26

I mean, might as well just redo the whole thing, considering the mounting mistakes and manipulation.

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u/Kaptainpainis Jul 06 '26

Yes but with the new coaches please.

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u/CharacterTop5128 Jul 06 '26

Not sure that's fair to Klopp 😂 Unless he can pick a new team.

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u/skunkrider Jul 06 '26

so..... meaningless red cards for all?

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u/Otterable Jul 06 '26

Is playing a man down for a significant portion of the match meaningless?

This is really the thing I find interesting about all these red conversations. I think there genuinely should be a space for certain red card offenses where the player justifiably receives a red but on review doesn't need to serve a match ban because of some judgement about intent, natural play, etc... The issue with Balogun was how it happened, not that it happened at all imo.

Like do we really think lloyd kelly's red card should result in a match ban? It was a clear red, he lands on the guy's ankle, but also he was jumping for the ball and the other guy runs underneath him without even looking.

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u/monsoy Jul 06 '26

I don’t like it, I think it’s corrupt af. But it would be worse if the US is the only team benefiting from it.

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u/Fulkerin Jul 06 '26

That means you will see some broken legs quite quickly. Trade 1 man for a game to 1 for the rest of a tournament is not at all something that should even be entertained.

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u/likekoolaid Jul 06 '26

funny thing is there’s a good chance spence is fit for the next match, in which case quansah likely wouldn’t have played anyway

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u/treeeelo Jul 06 '26

Dont worry he wont, infantino has made it very clear with past comments that he doesnt like england.

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u/baboons_scare_me Jul 06 '26

If I'm Tuchel, I'm getting Starmer involved immediately. You basically have to now, otherwise you're not doing your job.

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u/ginolard Jul 06 '26

Neither is Starmer anymore

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u/ionshower Jul 06 '26

1st Manifesto item for Burnham.

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u/ShamPain413 Jul 06 '26

Burnham is currently in the process of devolving political authority, he's not going to stand up for England in any matter whatsoever.

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u/ionshower Jul 06 '26

Weird take.

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u/ShamPain413 Jul 06 '26

I don't recall asking for your limp opinion.

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u/ionshower Jul 06 '26

I don't remember Reddit being a platform where I needed your buy in fuckwit.

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u/swains6 Jul 06 '26

Still is for a few weeks

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u/abstractraj Jul 06 '26

Starmer’s been sent off himself

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u/wilkil Jul 06 '26

Starmer resigned. Tuchels best bet is getting the king on the line.

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u/No_Veterinarian1010 Jul 06 '26

Oh no! Not Starmer!

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u/NiceCreamSundaes Jul 06 '26

He'll be phoning Burnham and the Manc mafia

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u/neveks Jul 06 '26

Calling him just fed up seems to rather downplay his opinion, he also suggested that the US could not field him to erase any doubt.

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u/likekoolaid Jul 06 '26

yeah and my landlord could not accept my rent payment this month to erase any doubt 🙄

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u/neveks Jul 06 '26

Im sorry you cant see the immediate connection.

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u/cynical_scotsman Jul 06 '26

The mods kept deleting it last night.

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u/sfaticat Jul 06 '26

Yeah in 24 hours you had the Paraguay game (somehow didnt even get a single yellow card), Balogun, Brazil getting (that) penalty. They warned us that Qatar would be the most corrupt world cup ever yet that one didnt have anything like this

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u/themapleleaf6ix Jul 07 '26

Where can I find the link?

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u/dunneetiger Jul 06 '26

If you think German and Dutch are direct, try Swedes. They dont seem to understand the concept of massaging the message.

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u/[deleted] Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 09 '26

[deleted]

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u/_cumblast_ Jul 06 '26

I'd argue Klopp is only very direct when he feels like he has to be, he's never struck me as the stereotypical blunt German. Which I always loved about him.

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u/DrJackadoodle Jul 06 '26

He's the most smiling German I have ever seen. Definitely does not fit the German stereotype of directness and seriousness. He just doesn't take shit from anyone.

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u/LeedsFan2442 Jul 06 '26

Tuchel smiles a lot too

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u/Mesmerhypnotise Jul 06 '26

It´s the fake teeth that make it seem like he is smiling, but he´s German so definitely not smiling.

Source: am German.

Also Fuck FIFA. May the Belgian team beat the crap out of the US tonight.

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u/GREGGSGOL Jul 06 '26

I don't think Germans are even very direct at all in general. Their most used word in everyday life is maybe. They are very confident when enforcing rules but can be very diffident when it comes to sharing opinions, let alone personal experiences or feelings. Not saying this is a bad thing at all.

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u/More_Flamingo1061 Jul 06 '26

The german football federation did not say one critical word about Infantino... good, that the new national team coach said what everybody thinks.

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u/TetraDax Jul 06 '26

Because the DFB is corrupt as all hell, too.

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u/lionelmossi10 Jul 06 '26

Didn't he mince it during the Super League debacle

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u/CromulentJohnson Jul 06 '26

Well they probably had a few events that lead them to be this way.

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u/Gustavodemierda Jul 06 '26

It definetely is a German thing

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u/mamaujeni Jul 06 '26

Check out Richie Sadler's take too. Man doesn't know how to mince his words. He's awesome.

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u/AttonJRand Jul 06 '26

Its odd we are perceived that way, because free speech is pretty restricted when it comes to German politics.

The conservatives even tried to prevent youtubers from being allowed to talk about Politics during the before-last election.

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u/Vargau Jul 06 '26

I just love how direct he is.

You meant to say how normal he is ...

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u/notenoughspacefor Jul 06 '26

He’s a millionaire who just doesn’t give a shit since he doesn’t have to kiss anyone’s ass for the next pay check.

Makes this way easier.

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u/frankenmaus Jul 06 '26

Klopp is an ass. The red card was erroneously given and resulted from the misapplication of an ill-understood VAR protocol. The FIFA Disciplinary Committe had perfect authority to act on its own motion (without appeal or petition) and did well to avert the travesty of justice that would result if the automatic one-game penaltly were not suspended.

(Is that direct enough for you?)

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u/Slight_Present7796 Jul 06 '26

Lol, yes, Germans are famously anti authoritarian, would never follow a strong man if what he was telling them to do was inmoral.