United States Men's National Team (USMNT) head coach Mauricio Pochettino strongly disagreed with the red card issued to forward Folarin Balogun during Wednesday's World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Balogun received a red card in the 61st minute after a collision with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Pochettino described the incident as "never a red card" and "never an intention to step on the player." He characterized the play as a "normal action in football that happened by accident." Despite playing with 10 men, the USMNT secured a 2-0 victory.
Balogun, who scored the opening goal of the match in the first half, was visibly disappointed after the decision by referee Raphael Claus, which followed a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. The red card will prevent Balogun from participating in the USMNT's Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday.
"It was an action that wasn’t intentional, he’s sad," Pochettino said of Balogun. "We cannot do anything to change this feeling."
Malik Tillman sealed the U.S. win with a free-kick goal in the 82nd minute. Muharemovic's right ankle appeared to buckle under the contact from Balogun during their challenge for the ball.
According to ESPN, the VAR decision was reportedly based on slow-motion and still replays, which differs from protocols that suggest such replays should only be used for point-of-contact analysis in red card situations. Former referee Andy Davies also stated that he believed the VAR made the incorrect call. Claus faced scrutiny for multiple perceived inconsistencies in his officiating throughout the match.
"Today, you know 50/50 decisions? Not one goes for us," Pochettino commented. "The players reacted very well, we controlled the emotional part of the game."
Balogun's red card marks a rare occurrence, making him the first player to score a goal and receive a red card in a men's World Cup since Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 final.