The USA defeated Bosnia 0-2 to advance to the round of 16, but there was controversy over the red card given to Folarin Balogan.
In the 64th minute of the match, while trying to get the ball, Balogan’s foot hit the foot of Bosnian defender Tarak Mohrimovic.
After a lengthy VAR review, the referee showed him a straight red card and sent him off the field.
The head coach of the American team, Mauricio Pochettino, reacted to this decision and said that Balogan had no intention of harming an opposing player and that this incident was completely unintentional.
On the other hand, former American football player Alexi Lalas shared a video of Lionel Messi’s previous match on social networks, in which he said Messi’s problem was of the same nature, but no card was shown.
Lalas questioned why one player was given a red card and the other was given a red card if the two incidents were the same.
https://x.com/TheFCBanter/status/2072502188388008404?s=20
After his position, he voiced against the decisions of the referees on social media. Users are protesting by sharing videos and photos of Messi and Balogan.
Many users have claimed that FIFA has given Lionel Messi a special discount.
https://x.com/HaterReport/status/2072494378694721679?s=20
It should be noted that several controversial VAR decisions have questioned the transparency of the event.
https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2072495210517700883?s=20
https://x.com/PolymarketSport/status/2072494106157240477?s=20
