Mauricio Pochettino insists Folarin Balogun’s sending off was “never a red card” as the United States boss lamented the decision which means he will be without his star striker for their World Cup 2026 last-16 clash.
Balogun, who scored USA’s opener in their 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, was shown a straight red card following a VAR review. Replays, aired in super slow-motion, showed Balogun’s studs scraping down the calf of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.
With no Bosnian players initially appealing, there was bemusement and shock across the 70,000-seater stadium when Brazilian referee Raphael Claus announced the red card. It now means Balogun will be suspended for the US’s last-16 tie against Belgium in Seattle on Monday.
“For me it’s never a red card,” Pochettino said in his post-match press conference. “Watching after on TV… there was never intention to step on the player.
“[It’s] a normal action in football that happened by accident. It’s never intentional. That is why for me it’s never a red card.
“I think today, the 50/50 decisions, not one went for us. The players reacted very well, we controlled that emotional part of the game, how they managed the situation was amazing, we were mature enough to continue competing.”
An immediate comparison was drawn to Lionel Messi’s tackle in Argentina’s opening game against Algeria, which was given as a foul but no more.
“For me, neither are red cards,” Pochettino said, before adding: “It should be possible to appeal the red card.”
However, there is no avenue in Fifa’s disciplinary code for the US to appeal the red card, given the presence of VAR.
On how Balogun felt afterwards, Pochettino said: "He's very disappointed and he's sad. It wasn't his intention. We can do nothing to change that feeling."
The incident left a sour taste on an evening of celebration in Santa Clara, as Malik Tillman’s 82nd-minute free-kick sealed victory despite the US going down to 10 men for the final 25 minutes.
They will now face Belgium, who came back from 2-0 down to beat Senegal 3-2 (AET) on Wednesday, for a place in the quarter-finals.
