The Americans see it as the most controversial and significant red card ever handed out. world cup.
While the United States celebrated a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, fans and players grew angry and frustrated. Second half red card Who sent out the star striker Farolin Balogun. He will miss the next game against Belgium on Monday.
This penalty, handed down after the referee watched a video replay, sparked debate over whether it was too harsh and whether other players, especially the Argentine players, fought back. lionel messiunfairly evaded similar punishment.
What is a red card and how to get one?
A red card is the most serious penalty for referees. A red card does more than just send a player out of the match. It also means teams cannot replace them and have to play shorthanded. Players who are sent off will also be suspended for the next game, but depending on the violation, a longer suspension may be given.
The red and yellow card system of discipline was invented after the 1966 World Cup by former referee Ken Aston, who came up with the idea of color-coding the level of discipline when stopped at traffic lights.
Aston, who died in 2001, said: “I thought, ‘Yellow, calm down. Red, stop it. I’m done with this.'”
In a heated game, many things are left to the referee’s discretion. A player who receives a second yellow card during a match will automatically be sent off with a red card. Direct red cards usually result from more serious offenses, such as dangerous tackles or violent play.
FIFA rules state that “It is a serious offense for a player to lunge at an opponent with excessive force, using one or both feet, from the front, to the side, or from the back, in an attempt to steal the ball, or to endanger the safety of an opponent.”
Balogun’s red card sparked debate over whether the foul should be considered intentional or just a hard tackle that warranted a yellow card warning.
“It was never intentional,” U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “If the goal was to hurt the opponent, I understand. But that never happened. Fighting for the ball and landing with your feet is normal in soccer.”
Using video reviews
Referees have the challenge of constantly monitoring all the action. With bodies intertwined, something can go unnoticed. FIFA introduced the use of Video Assisted Review (VAR) at the 2018 World Cup.
In Balogun’s case, Brazilian referee Rafael Kraus initially did not signal the card. However, the command from VAR officials When I checked the replay in slow motion, I saw a red card.
This sparked another discussion about whether the play looks worse and more intentional in slow motion.
Former France national team forward Thierry Henry, who currently works as a studio analyst for the World Cup on FOX Sports, criticized the red card.
“It takes some common sense,” Henry said. “Where should a player put his feet in that situation?”
There is no way to appeal. Balogun has to sit 1 out.
As it stands, Balogun will miss the next game, but could return in the quarterfinals if the U.S. advances by defeating Belgium.
Red card suspensions cannot be appealed unless FIFA evaluates the multi-match penalty. FIFA could increase the ban if it deems the challenge merits a harsher penalty.
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo avoided missing out on the World Cup. serious red card incident During qualifying. FIFA instead decided to suspend him for two of the three games. postponed During a one year “trial period”. Ronaldo only missed the 9-1 win against Armenia.
Are star players given preferential treatment?
Critics have been raising this question since the start of the tournament, with some of the top players, particularly Messi, caught up in questionable play.
in Argentina’s first match Algeria defender Aissa Mandy suffered a calf and Achilles tendon injury due to Messi’s stud-up challenge from behind. This caused Mandy to fall to the ground, clutching her leg.
Messi immediately raised his arm as if he had no intention of hacking Mandy’s leg. Algeria were awarded a free kick, but the biggest star of the competition did not come on, remaining in the match and scoring a hat-trick.
Video clips of Messi’s foul started circulating on social media by the next day, which flared up again after Balogun’s red card.
American defender Weston McKennie said the red card against Balogun was “unfortunate”. Balogun was the United States’ leading scorer with three goals.
“I think there were a lot of other plays like this throughout the tournament against other players who weren’t given any cards,” McKennie said.
Welcome to the World Cup debate
It’s not the first time Americans have yelled at a red card, and it won’t be the last. Complaints come equally after being dropped off or not being contacted.
In 1998, England’s David Beckham was sent off in the second half of a Round of 16 match against Argentina for tripping Diego Simeone in retaliation. In 2006, England’s Wayne Rooney was sent off for stomping on the groin of a prone Portuguese defender, Ricardo Carvalho, in the quarter-final against Portugal.
The most famous red card at the World Cup was when French legend Zinedine Zidane was sent off after headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the 2006 final. Italy would win on penalties.
The most famous no-call came in the 2010 final, when Nigel de Jong of the Netherlands was not sent off for a stud up-kick to the chest of Spain’s Xabi Alonso in the first half. Spain would win in extra time.
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AP Sports Writer Josh Dubow contributed.
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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
