'Not his fault' - Belgium boss Rudi Garcia jumps to defence of Folarin Balogun as USMNT striker breaks silence on World Cup exit & FIFA's decision to suspend red card
Belgium football manager Rudi Garcia has defended US striker Folarin Balogun following controversy over FIFA's decision to overturn a red card ban during a World Cup match. Despite the pre-match tension, Garcia praised Balogun's professionalism after Belgium's 4-1 victory over the US.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the impact of controversial regulatory decisions on international sports tournaments and player morale.
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has defended United States striker Folarin Balogun following their World Cup round-of-16 encounter in Seattle. The pre-match build-up had been heavily dominated by FIFA’s highly controversial decision to suspend Balogun’s red-card ban, prompting widespread criticism before Belgium secured a 4-1 victory.
The article reports on sports commentary and player statements without taking a side on the FIFA decision.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in