FIFA Denies US Appeal Over Balogun Red Card

FIFA has confirmed to ESPN and ABC News that the United States national team has no legal path to appeal Folarin Balogun's red card in their 2-0 playoff win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. As a result, the tournament's leading scorer for the US will miss the crucial Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 7 at 3:00 a.m. local time in Seattle. The 24-year-old striker, who tops the American scoring chart with three goals — including the opener in Santa Clara — was sent off in the 64th minute after a VAR review. Referee Klaus deemed Balogun's challenge on Tarik Muharemovic a straight red, with the American's studs catching the Bosnian's ankle and Achilles. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino blasted the decision, calling it "never a red card" and describing the tackle as a normal football action. Under Article 66.4 of FIFA's disciplinary code, any player receiving a direct or indirect red card is automatically suspended for the next match. FIFA sources explained that the VAR review itself counts as a first appeal, making further challenge impossible. But Balogun's problems might not end with a one-game ban. Rule 10.5 allows FIFA's disciplinary committee to impose additional sanctions for serious foul play. There's already a precedent at this World Cup: Qatar's Assim Madibo received a five-match suspension after breaking Ismaël Koné's leg in a tackle on the Canadian. No decision on extending Balogun's suspension has been made yet.