📂 Categoría: Football,World Cup | 📅 Fecha: 1783303091
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FIFA have shown they are a ‘laughing stock’ by lifting Folarin Balogun’s suspension – it’s a World Cup of double standards.
That’s the view of England legend Stuart Pearce, who can’t believe USA striker Balogun is now available to face Belgium in the last-16.
The ex-Arsenal forward – now at Monaco – was sent off in a controversial decision during his side’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.
Balogun fired the co-hosts into the lead on the stroke of half time for his third goal of the tournament, before being shown a straight red card after a VAR check.
Replays showed the 25-year-old accidentally plant his leg down the back of Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle – resulting in the player being dismissed in the 64th minute.
An automatic one-game ban followed and it’s believed that USA were unable to launch an appeal.
Though talkSPORT exclusively revealed on Sunday that US President Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for Balogun’s suspension to be reviewed, with White House task force members also involved in conversations with football’s world governing body, along with secretary of state Marco Rubio.
Balogun was ultimately then cleared to play, with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) releasing a statement, declaring they are ‘investigating all potential options’.
FIFA have since stated that is “in line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.”
It is the same surprise reprieve that allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to start in Portugal’s World Cup opener – despite being sent off for violent conduct and facing a three-game ban for an elbow on Republic of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea.
What has been said about Balogun’s suspension being lifted?
Three Lions hero Pearce was left fuming by FIFA’s decision, insisting smaller teams at the World Cup are being held to different standards.
Pearce highlighted how Qatar’s Assim Madibo had his one-game ban extended to five following his red card for a leg-breaking challenge on Canada’s Ismael Kone.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Well firstly, I’m not sure it’s a sending off anyway, I think it was accidental, he [Balogun] stood on his [Muharemovic’s] leg.
“But the referee has sent the player off the field, OK, and VAR has backed that as well, you cannot be coming back and rescinding that, that is just ridiculous.
“Honestly, it makes FIFA a laughing stock in my mind and Ronaldo having his turned over as well.
“What it is, it’s one rule for the big superstars and another rule for [smaller nations].
“Assim Madibo, a six [five] game ban for for a challenge that ended up leaving a player seriously injured, I get that, but it wasn’t a serious challenge.
“It was a clumsy stupid challenge, but it wasn’t a nasty challenge, and the bottom line is, what’s going to happen, [Lionel] Messi will get to the [World Cup] semi-final and might get sent off and it’ll be rescinded for the final.
“But ‘Reg Nobody’, who also plays in the semi-final, they’ll make that [suspension] stand.
“It’s an embarrassment for me and it’s things like that that make FIFA an absolute laughing stock on occasion.”
Piers Morgan vs Rio Ferdinand beef
While many have been left dumbfounded by FIFA’s decision, ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand believes it was the correct call.
He reacted to the news by posting three clapping hands emojis, leading broadcaster Piers Morgan to reply: “Really?!”
It resulted in Ferdnand firing back with an insult, as he said: “Tuck ya moobs back in ur belt you.”
To which Morgan responded in X-rated fashion, saying: “One of us is definitely being a massive t*t over this… and it ain’t me, bro.”
What has Pochettino said about the decision?
USA boss Mauricio Pochettino, who talkSPORT understands was wished good luck by Trump in a phone call following the decision, believes FIFA acted accordingly.
He remarked: “We were punished enough against Bosnia to play with ten men for 30 minutes, in a decision that was unfair.
“It’s not because I’m the head coach of the USA, I think 99.9 per cent of people agree it was an unfair red card.”
Buoyed by the news, USA will now have added belief that they can reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.
As for Belgium, they are bidding to reach the last-eight for the third time in the last four editions of the global tournament.
World Cup WhatsApp
Don’t miss an update from talkSPORT in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.
Search for ‘talkSPORT World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure talkSPORT energy.
It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings.
Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA have shown they are a ‘laughing stock’ by lifting Folarin Balogun’s suspension – it’s a World Cup of double standards.
That’s the view of England legend Stuart Pearce, who can’t believe USA striker Balogun is now available to face Belgium in the last-16.
The ex-Arsenal forward – now at Monaco – was sent off in a controversial decision during his side’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.
Balogun fired the co-hosts into the lead on the stroke of half time for his third goal of the tournament, before being shown a straight red card after a VAR check.
Replays showed the 25-year-old accidentally plant his leg down the back of Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle – resulting in the player being dismissed in the 64th minute.
An automatic one-game ban followed and it’s believed that USA were unable to launch an appeal.
Though talkSPORT exclusively revealed on Sunday that US President Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for Balogun’s suspension to be reviewed, with White House task force members also involved in conversations with football’s world governing body, along with secretary of state Marco Rubio.
Balogun was ultimately then cleared to play, with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) releasing a statement, declaring they are ‘investigating all potential options’.
FIFA have since stated that is “in line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.”
It is the same surprise reprieve that allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to start in Portugal’s World Cup opener – despite being sent off for violent conduct and facing a three-game ban for an elbow on Republic of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea.
What has been said about Balogun’s suspension being lifted?
Three Lions hero Pearce was left fuming by FIFA’s decision, insisting smaller teams at the World Cup are being held to different standards.
Pearce highlighted how Qatar’s Assim Madibo had his one-game ban extended to five following his red card for a leg-breaking challenge on Canada’s Ismael Kone.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Well firstly, I’m not sure it’s a sending off anyway, I think it was accidental, he [Balogun] stood on his [Muharemovic’s] leg.
“But the referee has sent the player off the field, OK, and VAR has backed that as well, you cannot be coming back and rescinding that, that is just ridiculous.
“Honestly, it makes FIFA a laughing stock in my mind and Ronaldo having his turned over as well.
“What it is, it’s one rule for the big superstars and another rule for [smaller nations].
“Assim Madibo, a six [five] game ban for for a challenge that ended up leaving a player seriously injured, I get that, but it wasn’t a serious challenge.
“It was a clumsy stupid challenge, but it wasn’t a nasty challenge, and the bottom line is, what’s going to happen, [Lionel] Messi will get to the [World Cup] semi-final and might get sent off and it’ll be rescinded for the final.
“But ‘Reg Nobody’, who also plays in the semi-final, they’ll make that [suspension] stand.
“It’s an embarrassment for me and it’s things like that that make FIFA an absolute laughing stock on occasion.”
Piers Morgan vs Rio Ferdinand beef
While many have been left dumbfounded by FIFA’s decision, ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand believes it was the correct call.
He reacted to the news by posting three clapping hands emojis, leading broadcaster Piers Morgan to reply: “Really?!”
It resulted in Ferdnand firing back with an insult, as he said: “Tuck ya moobs back in ur belt you.”
To which Morgan responded in X-rated fashion, saying: “One of us is definitely being a massive t*t over this… and it ain’t me, bro.”
What has Pochettino said about the decision?
USA boss Mauricio Pochettino, who talkSPORT understands was wished good luck by Trump in a phone call following the decision, believes FIFA acted accordingly.
He remarked: “We were punished enough against Bosnia to play with ten men for 30 minutes, in a decision that was unfair.
“It’s not because I’m the head coach of the USA, I think 99.9 per cent of people agree it was an unfair red card.”
Buoyed by the news, USA will now have added belief that they can reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.
As for Belgium, they are bidding to reach the last-eight for the third time in the last four editions of the global tournament.
World Cup WhatsApp
Don’t miss an update from talkSPORT in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.
Search for ‘talkSPORT World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure talkSPORT energy.
It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings.
Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.
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📚 Información de la Fuente
| 📰 Publicación: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Jake Lambourne |
| 📅 Fecha Original: | 2026-07-06 01:48:00 |
| 🔗 Enlace: | Ver artículo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artículo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglés al español para facilitar su comprensión. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
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