US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States men’s national team was “screwed” by Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card and calls for an appeal. Rubio comments on Thursday, a day after Balogun is shown a red card during the US’s 2-0 knockout win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. He says there should be an appeal process and asks whether one is still possible, though he notes the timing may be too late.
FIFA rules, according to a FIFA spokesman cited by outlets, provide for an automatic suspension for the next match after a red card, and that suspension cannot be appealed. In the 64th minute of the game, Balogun receives the red card after a VAR review determines he stamped on the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic’s foot.
US head coach Mauricio Pochettino also criticizes the decision, saying Balogun “should never” have received a red card and that the team would consider “different options,” including whether an appeal is possible. Balogun, who has scored three times for the US in the tournament, is set to miss the round-of-16 match against Belgium.
