US Coach Pochettino Regrets His Limited Role in Balogun Red-Card Appeal at the World Cup
USMNT manager regrets not intervening in FIFA's decision to lift Folarin Balogun's red card, believing it altered team energy during their World Cup elimination loss to Belgium.
- USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino said Friday he regrets not being more involved in appealing Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card suspension, adding the decision disrupted his team's energy before their 4-1 round-of-16 loss to Belgium.
- The suspension was granted 24 hours before kickoff after U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino, an intervention widely characterized as unprecedented political involvement in sporting governance.
- Pochettino stated the match was played under "different parameters" after the energy shifted instantly, noting that "no one understood why it happened" and tactical adjustments would not have altered the outcome against Belgium.
- Balogun is excluded from the current 28-man roster due to a minor knee injury, meaning the United States will face Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada without the striker during the upcoming international window.
- Belgium's football federation demands justification for the suspension, threatening to oppose Infantino's re-election and requesting the matter be placed on the FIFA Council agenda for October 15.
16 Articles
16 Articles
US coach Pochettino regrets his limited role in Balogun red-card appea
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino says he should have been more involved in the decision to appeal the red card given to star forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup . Balogun’s suspension for
Pochettino regrets limited role in Balogun appeal, says controversy changed US energy
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said he regretted not being more involved in the decision to appeal Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card, adding that the controversy changed the energy around his team before their last-16 loss to Belgium.
UMSNT's Pochettino Addresses World Cup Controversy, Says 'Energy Changed' After Balogun Ruling
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino says he regrets not getting "more involved" in the decision to suspend a red card for striker Folarin Balogun he says changed the energy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Poch shares 'regret' over Balogun controversy, impact on USMNT
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said he regrets not being more involved in the process of appealing Folarin Balogun's suspension at this summer's World Cup, adding that the incident changed the energy around his squad.
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