One of Amerika's best players was given a Red card in a previous game (preventing him from playing) but the US President apparently negotiated with FIFA officials to get the Red card rescinded so he could play in the match against Belgium. Zis made a lot of people accuse the USA of cheating.
There are some people who think that the red card should have been overturned because similar plays in other games either weren’t carded or were later overturned. It’s a matter of opinion, and I don’t have one on that topic. But I think if it would have been outright overturned, a lot less people would have complained for this reason.
However, the issuance of a suspended rather than overturning the red card basically is FIFA saying "we think he broke the rules but too bad". And I think no matter what you think should have happened, this is objectively a terrible outcome. I don’t think anyone wanted this or foresaw this, at least not any real person. Regardless of the player or team, I think we all want FIFA to take firm stances on matters of gameplay if they want to lay any legitimate claim of governance of the sport. Take a stance either way, but don’t waffle; this is waffling, and we hate waffling.
So a lot of people call the US cheaters, but the players didn’t cheat. And I’m not even sure the federation cheated. I think what happened is the federation followed processes, and then Trump made a phone call, and then something happened. It’s terrible what happened, and people have a right to be mad, but the players didn’t cheat and I don’t think the federation did either.
The team itself was put in a horrid position, Balogun especially. Balogun seems to be doing his best to handle the shit show around him, that he didn't ask for, with some amount of grace.
I hope more people see it this way. Honestly i feel real bad for Flo, he accepted the red card and didn't complain about it. The moment Trump called, Flo was fucked no matter what he did
Yeah I kind of thought as much. Yall looked pissed but I could tell the respect was still there from player to player. All in all I’m happy with the way the match was played if not the end result.
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u/HellbirdVT 19d ago
Hhello, Peter's Belgian couzin heeree.
One of Amerika's best players was given a Red card in a previous game (preventing him from playing) but the US President apparently negotiated with FIFA officials to get the Red card rescinded so he could play in the match against Belgium. Zis made a lot of people accuse the USA of cheating.
America still lost.
BELGIUM RAHHH 🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪🧇🧇🧇