Balogun Suspension Dispute Impact
Mauricio Pochettino Says Balogun Suspension Dispute Altered Team Energy
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U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino says he regrets not taking a more active role in the decision to challenge Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red-card suspension, which FIFA lifted so the striker could play against Belgium. The reversal followed lobbying by U.S. Soccer and President Donald Trump, who said he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case; FIFA’s disciplinary committee said it acted independently. Pochettino said the ensuing controversy changed the atmosphere around the team and left the Belgium match—an eventual 4-1 loss—playing out under different circumstances. He said he did not believe a different lineup or tactical plan would have changed the result, and called for a smaller group within U.S. Soccer to handle such decisions.
Key Points
1
U.S. Soccer said there was no formal process to appeal a red card, but the federation pursued ways behind the scenes to reverse Balogun’s suspension.
2
Belgium players said the controversy gave them extra motivation for the match, while Balogun later said he felt uncomfortable with the attention surrounding the decision.
3
Pochettino said the team had helped win broad public backing for soccer in the United States, with fans enjoying the sport alongside the country’s other major sports.
4
FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended Balogun’s one-match ban for a year, according to ESPN, rather than simply overturning the punishment outright.
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