Is there anything more than needs to be said about the Balogun situation? Maybe this could be the beginning of better sportsmanship in the game, which would include less faking fouls and injuries, less time wasting, less harassing the keeper on corners, less harassing the ref, etc.

Balo had the best take. He said he disagreed with the call but things happen and he was not going to say more. Everyone else who got involved on all sides should not have. It would be cool if the US did not play Balo. He is great, but they would have a chance without him. But if he does play, Belgium should say we were glad to face your best.

Win or lose, it has been a great cup from an American perspective in terms of the quality of play, the new players integrated, and most all, the increased fan support. I hope something so positive is not turned negative. There is certainly a lot that is negative in the world right now.

concordtom said:

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For all the complaints about soccer refereeing, let's hear it for this crew.
AWESOME

Give that guy the Final.

I loved how he used cards to control tomfoolery.

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i'm starting to notice you're quite a soccer fan, concordtom, major congrats to the team and to you too

DiabloWags said:

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GrinandBearit said:

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It really wouldn't have mattered either way. If Trump didn't say anything, everyone would blame him. If Trump did say something, everyone would blame him. He's the easy scapegoat for everything.

What Trump did say was very mild. He has no ability to force the commission to do anything.

---

That is a claim that is not substantiated by any facts in evidence.
It's a strawman argument.

Presidents do not get "involved" in sporting events.
Period.

He could have easily remarked that he "did not agree" with the red card and leave it at that.
No one would have blamed him for not having made a phone call to the FIFA president.
That's absurd logic at best.

---

I'm sorry but you seem to have misunderstood my entire post. Next time, maybe ask clarifying questions instead of going on the attack.

It was widely reported that Trump called Infantino. That was a known fact. When I said this: "If Trump didn't say anything, everyone would blame him. If Trump did say something, everyone would blame him." I was referring to Trump publicly announcing he called vs. not announcing he called.

smh said:

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concordtom said:

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For all the complaints about soccer refereeing, let's hear it for this crew.
AWESOME

Give that guy the Final.

I loved how he used cards to control tomfoolery.

---

i'm starting to notice you're quite a soccer fan, concordtom, major congrats to the team and to you too

---

He gave a card to Sir Harry Kane for not getting out of the box for a PK.
He gave a card to Declan Rice in minute 1 for a whiff high boot.
He gave Vasquez a card for trying to claim a fight about receiving an elbow.
He took no schlitz from no body!

Did you see how Paraguay muddied up the game? Such things need to be stopped, and the only way a ref can do it is with cards. This ref knew how awful it could get at Azteca and he announced in the first minute, and all the way to the end that he was having none of it.

His face said all game, get out of my face and play ball.

GrinandBearit said:

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DiabloWags said:

---

GrinandBearit said:

---

It really wouldn't have mattered either way. If Trump didn't say anything, everyone would blame him. If Trump did say something, everyone would blame him. He's the easy scapegoat for everything.

What Trump did say was very mild. He has no ability to force the commission to do anything.

---

That is a claim that is not substantiated by any facts in evidence.
It's a strawman argument.

Presidents do not get "involved" in sporting events.
Period.

He could have easily remarked that he "did not agree" with the red card and leave it at that.
No one would have blamed him for not having made a phone call to the FIFA president.
That's absurd logic at best.

---

I'm sorry but you seem to have misunderstood my entire post. Next time, maybe ask clarifying questions instead of going on the attack.

It was widely reported that Trump called Infantino. That was a known fact. When I said this: "If Trump didn't say anything, everyone would blame him. If Trump did say something, everyone would blame him." I was referring to Trump publicly announcing he called vs. not announcing he called.

---

I'm sorry, but I did not go on any "attack" as you claim.
Perhaps you should have provided the proper context in the first place in order to support your claim.

In that way, the entire board (not just me) would not have to seek clarification.
Your original post could have been much more specific to your point.
Unfortunately, for us readers it was not.

Thanks for your clarification.

DiabloWags said:

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GrinandBearit said:

---

DiabloWags said:

---

GrinandBearit said:

---

It really wouldn't have mattered either way. If Trump didn't say anything, everyone would blame him. If Trump did say something, everyone would blame him. He's the easy scapegoat for everything.

What Trump did say was very mild. He has no ability to force the commission to do anything.

---

That is a claim that is not substantiated by any facts in evidence.
It's a strawman argument.

Presidents do not get "involved" in sporting events.
Period.

He could have easily remarked that he "did not agree" with the red card and leave it at that.
No one would have blamed him for not having made a phone call to the FIFA president.
That's absurd logic at best.

---

I'm sorry but you seem to have misunderstood my entire post. Next time, maybe ask clarifying questions instead of going on the attack.

It was widely reported that Trump called Infantino. That was a known fact. When I said this: "If Trump didn't say anything, everyone would blame him. If Trump did say something, everyone would blame him." I was referring to Trump publicly announcing he called vs. not announcing he called.

---

I'm sorry, but I did not go on any "attack" as you claim.
Perhaps you should have provided the proper context in the first place in order to support your claim.

In that way, the entire board (not just me) would not have to seek clarification.
Your original post could have been much more specific to your point.
Unfortunately, for us readers it was not.

Thanks.

---

I'm not sure what crawled up your butt and died today but you posts are awfully testy. It's okay to disagree and not be so aggressive with people.

Go Bears!

concordtom said:

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smh said:

---

concordtom said:

---

For all the complaints about soccer refereeing, let's hear it for this crew.
AWESOME

Give that guy the Final.

I loved how he used cards to control tomfoolery.

---

i'm starting to notice you're quite a soccer fan, concordtom, major congrats to the team and to you too

---

He gave a card to Sir Harry Kane for not getting out of the box for a PK.
He gave a card to Declan Rice in minute 1 for a whiff high boot.
He gave Vasquez a card for trying to claim a fight about receiving an elbow.
He took no schlitz from no body!

Did you see how Paraguay muddied up the game? Such things need to be stopped, and the only way a ref can do it is with cards. This ref knew how awful it could get at Azteca and he announced in the first minute, and all the way to the end that he was having none of it.

His face said all game, get out of my face and play ball.

---

100% true.
You nailed it Tom!



Australian official and Iranian born Alireza ***hani

Flo story, by Tom Rinaldi, 2 weeks ago:

Not a good look for FIFA, the Trump administration.

FULL timeline of the campaign to bring Balogun back, according to a half dozen U.S. government & soccer officials:
- Wednesday after U.S.-Bosnia match: Andrew Giuliani alerted Trump to the red card (Trump & Giuliani had been talking multiple times/week since start of World Cup…

— Sophia Cai (@SophiaCai99) July 6, 2026

" FULL timeline of the campaign to bring Balogun back, according to a half dozen U.S. government & soccer officials:
- Wednesday after U.S.-Bosnia match: Andrew Giuliani alerted Trump to the red card (Trump & Giuliani had been talking multiple times/week since start of World Cup and regularly before that.)
- Wed night: Giuliani, Lutnick and U.S. Soccer officials began activating on plans to challenge red card
- That kicked off 4 days of coordinated lobbying, legal maneuvering & diplomacy that stretched from Oval Office to Zurich
- On *Thursday* Trump dialed Gianni Infantino and asked abt FIFA's rules around the red card decision and grounds for suspension. (They've known each other for 8 yrs.)
- FIFA declined to confirm any specific discussions but reiterated to POLITICO that the decision to suspend the one-match ban was made by an independent disciplinary committee.
- As U.S. Soccer's legal team formally prepared & submitted its appeal to FIFA, Giuliani + Lutnick offered to make White House attorneys available to assist
- At the same time, Giuliani and Scott Goodwin a hedge-fund manager who had helped pay the salary of Mauricio Pochettino zeroed in on the officiating history of referee Raphael Claus
-Articles examining previous controversies involving Claus circulated among senior gov officials as they evaluated every argument that could bolster the appeal
- On FIFA side, Emilio Garca, who oversees the legal affairs of FIFA, advised Infantino on the available procedural options
- Garca + other FIFA officials worked to determine whether the circumstances of Balogun's tackle met the narrow standards that would allow the disciplinary decision to be revisited
- By Sunday, FIFA announced that Balogun's one-match suspension would be suspended
- FIFA insists that the decision was an independent one made by its 18-person disciplinary committee, but it would not say whether the decision was decided through a vote, and it has not published a report on the decision."

DiabloWags said:

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Australian official and Iranian born Alireza ***hani

---

That's spelled F A G H A N I


Interestingly, I rewatched stretches of the game late last night via the Telemundo broadcast. The play that had Harry Kane kicking American Brian Gutierrez for a Mex free kick to get to 3-2? They said upon initial replays that it was "nada, nada", nothing, nothing.
And then they talked themselves into it was a fair penalty, haha.

How soccer is adjudicated and played is different from place to place.

concordtom said:

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DiabloWags said:

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Australian official and Iranian born Alireza ***hani

---

That's spelled F A G H A N I

---

I'm aware.
Bearinsider would not allow me to type his name as spelled.

"Suggestion that Pochettino not play Balogun tonight, on principle."

An athlete of the highest ethical standards like Sandy Koufax would refuse to play if he was in Balogun's shoes. I hold no one to Koufax' standards.

*Trump strong arms people. Infantino has a track record of ingratiating himself with Trump. Trump today admitted that in the call he asked for the review. The suspension was lifted. Textbook example of cause and effect. The End. Anyone that suggests otherwise is just funnin' ya.

"I asked for a review by FIFA," Trump said. . At the same time, the president said he had "nothing to do with the decision."

Trump also said if Belgium won with the suspension in place, "I say it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020."

Trump says he asked FIFA to review U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun's suspension https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-fifa-review-folarin-baloguns-red-card-rcna353145


*Trump adding that he, "had nothing to do with the decision," is his 10 year boy psyche on full display. He would have been so much better not adding that statement, but he just can't help himself.

*I am somewhat surprised at the reaction of Trump supporters getting cute with this. Don't they fully embrace Trump's bull in a china shop trampling over everything that get's in the way of doing what he wants to do? This action pales in comparison to the scorched earth power moves he has made in Trump II aka Trump Unchained.

" An athlete of the highest ethical standards like Sandy Koufax would refuse to play if he was in Balogun's shoes"

I had no idea you knew what Koufax would be thinking in this situation.

Love the meme though.

BREAKING NEWS:



GAME ON.

The Balogun decision appears to be only the second known instance of FIFA lifting a World Cup red-card suspension, and the first since Brazil's Garrincha was cleared to play in the 1962 final after being sent off in the semifinal.

DiabloWags said:

---

BREAKING NEWS:



GAME ON.

---

Thank you Trump for doing or not doing anything!!!!

We all agree, Trump sucks!
Let's just play! Root for the athletes on both sides to have great games - and may the USA come out on top amid post-match handshakes!

By the way, I said earlier that this special tournament happens only every 4 years.

Well, there is concacaf region Gold Cup, Nations League, and then what I follow: EUFA championships…. Every confederation has their own tournament. The Euros is the best among these.


AI:
The UEFA championship tournament you're referring to is officially called the UEFA European Championship, but fans almost always call it the Euro or the Euros. The tournament is held every four years, always in the evennumbered year between FIFA World Cups.

---

What the tournament is called

Official name: UEFA European Championship
Common names: Euro, Euros, UEFA Euro
Original name (19601968): European Nations' Cup


---

How often it happens

The Euros take place every four years, following a strict cycle since 1960 (except Euro 2020, postponed to 2021 due to COVID19).
They are scheduled in the even-numbered years between World Cups for example:

World Cup 2022
Euro 2024
World Cup 2026
Euro 2028


This creates a rhythm where fans get a major international tournament every two years (alternating World Cup and Euros).. It's like a mini World Cup, though same say it's even better because Europe has more better teams. Less watered down competition.

---

Next edition

Euro 2028
Hosts: United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland
Frequency: Every four years (next after Euro 2024)

I know you know.
I spelled it to give the man his props.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino:

“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.

“FIFA’s judicial… pic.twitter.com/FzeWuMQIXf

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 6, 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino:

"I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA's governance.

"FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.

"Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA's system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.

"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

"What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times."

bearister said:

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...Trump adding that he, "had nothing to do with the decision," is his 10 year boy psyche on full display. He would have been so much better not adding that statement, but he just can't help himself...

---

thanks B, appreciated, especially the crazy face head shot.

Big C said:

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For the record, I regret my (small) part in turning the last good thread on this forum into a **** show.

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It was not your doing, of course. One leader was incapable of not forcing himself into a high-profile situation.

bearister said:

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Well, I predicted what Infantino's response would be yesterday:

"Perhaps Infantino will come up with some absurd "alternative facts" explanation that gets Trump off the hook and you can run with that."
https://bearinsider.com/forums/6/topics/133019/replies/2711867

Infantino's response is a just more flowery word salad version of Trump's "I had nothing to do with the decision."

No one is buying this. No one. This actually makes it worse.

---

You predicted accurately, now we can all move on as there was no nefarious actions taking place. Good call!

Lots of tension in the broadcast booths and desks happening now with different takes on the ruling ..elephants galore in the room. A taint has manifested itself

I edit this post so I repositioned it:

Well, I predicted what Infantino's response would be yesterday:

"Perhaps Infantino will come up with some absurd "alternative facts" explanation that gets Trump off the hook and you can run with that."
https://bearinsider.com/forums/6/topics/133019/replies/2711867

Infantino's response is just a more flowery word salad version of Trump's "I had nothing to do with the decision."

No one is buying this. No one. This actually makes it worse. Trump probably put him up to it like the FIFA Peace Prize.

From Infantino statement:

"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.

"What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times."

Is there any other reasonable interpretation of the bold text above other than Infantino is implying he "disagrees" and "doesn't personally like" the decision to lift the suspension?

How's that for throwing the Disciplinary Committee under the bus? ….and how ludicrous is it for Infantino to think anyone but the Village Idiot's Convention would believe that his interests and Trump's are not aligned on all four squares?

thanks b. sorry, this fool's gotta ask where the flaming heck did you find the clip, and/or the flick it came from?
tnx in advance # movies R us

unrelated, of no particular interest..

So the USSF followed the appropriate protocols to appeal the red card. And the 18 person committee determined what we have acknowledged all along: the red card was improperly given, and Balogun should play. This is the same process that has been used to overturn the suspension of… https://t.co/Vqvzx6s6vY

— Patrick (@PhillyPMC) July 6, 2026

cal83dls79 said:

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Lots of tension in the broadcast booths and desks happening now with different takes on the ruling ..elephants galore in the room. A taint has manifested itself

---

Nobody cares, just win

sluggo said:

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Is there anything more than needs to be said about the Balogun situation? Maybe this could be the beginning of better sportsmanship in the game, which would include less faking fouls and injuries, less time wasting, less harassing the keeper on corners, less harassing the ref, etc.

Balo had the best take. He said he disagreed with the call but things happen and he was not going to say more. Everyone else who got involved on all sides should not have. It would be cool if the US did not play Balo. He is great, but they would have a chance without him. But if he does play, Belgium should say we were glad to face your best.

Win or lose, it has been a great cup from an American perspective in terms of the quality of play, the new players integrated, and most all, the increased fan support. I hope something so positive is not turned negative. There is certainly a lot that is negative in the world right now.

---

It's actually a pretty good sign for American interest in the sport that a Republican president tried to involve himself here. Wasn't too long ago that American conservatives mostly thought that soccer was a sissy sport that no one should care about.

Anarchistbear said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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Lots of tension in the broadcast booths and desks happening now with different takes on the ruling ..elephants galore in the room. A taint has manifested itself

---

Nobody cares, just win

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who said I cared, just observing bro…but I'm pretty sure some do care or not care to care

smh said:

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thanks b. sorry, this fool's gotta ask where the flaming heck did you find the clip, and/or the flick it came from?
tnx in advance # movies R us

---

If I see something in a movie I like it makes a permanent imprint on my mind.

That is from a scene in Woody Allen's movie Love and Death (1975).

How I found it:
I found it on the Google Image Library using the search term:
Village Idiot's Convention gif

bearister said:

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That is from a scene in Woody Allen's movie Love and Death (1975).

How I found it:
I found it on the Google Image Library using the search term:
Village Idiot's Convention gif

---

thanks barister. funny/true story, so i went to the local library website to check out a copy, and was surprised to find i'd already checked it out... Double DARN
# seniors R u
https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S118C97825

Question…

Is the USA vs Belgium the biggest game in American soccer history?

I can’t think of any bigger.

What say you?

— C3 (@C_3C_3) July 5, 2026

^I don't think Belgium fears Balogun, they're more outraged at the WC host and its president abusing their power and violating normal disciplinary standards.

Good classic Iberian derby, ended up with a typical Spanish goal and a Portuguese last chance saloon near miss, sets up a great potential semifinal with France. I think Portugal would have been a slightly more difficult opponent for France.

Cal88 said:

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^I don't think Belgium fears Balogun, they're more outraged at the WC host and its president abusing their power and violating normal disciplinary standards.

Good classic Iberian derby, ended up with a typical Spanish goal and a Portuguese last chance saloon near miss, sets up a great potential semifinal with France. I think Portugal would have been a slightly more difficult opponent for France.

---

I thought Roberto Martinez held back Belgium's Golden Generation, so I was shocked Portugal hired him. Then he played Ronaldo 90 minutes while leaving Goncalo Ramos on the bench, which is coaching malpractice. This was a very, very talented Portugal team.

Like I said before the tournament Spain will win it all. Nothing has made me think otherwise. It would not even be fair if they got Nico Williams back.

Quck Belgium Preview:

This is a rematch of the round of 16 game in 2014. In that one Belgium outclassed the USA, but keeper Tim Howard stood on his head to get the game into extra time. In extra time Belgium won 2-1 with the US goal on a lucky bounce.

In 2022 in the round of 16 the USA lost 3-1 to the Netherlands with the US goal on a lucky bounce. The Netherlands were better, but they did not completely outclass the US like Belgium had in 2014. The Orange coach made fun of the US coach for poor strategy.

So now it is 2026 and the US is back in the round of 16, just where they were supposed to get. Belgium is not as good as they were in 2014, and they have a number of players from that team for are in their 30s. (I am not sure if Tim Ream was on the US team but I don't think so, for sure none of the other US players were.)

Belgium is led by 2014's Kevin deBruyne, who left Man City a year ago for Italy. Five years ago I think he was a top 5 in the world player. Now he is still very good, but he moves less well. He will pull the strings from the midfield.

The star player to me if Jeremy Doku. He is a current Man City player, and he is a menace. Built low to the ground like Barry Sanders, he is quick, fast, and has fantastic footwork. In the 5-2 friendly win a few months ago he destroyed Freeman, who is not a great 1v1 defender. The US will need a midfielder to get back every time to help Freeman out, while still not opening up too much of the rest of the field. It can be done but was not done in the friendly.

Belgium has a couple other good attackers in Arsenal's Trossard, who is small and tricky, and de Ketalaare (sp?), a player who I had not seen before but was very good against Senegal.

In Belgium's last match they were outplayed for the first 75 minutes by a good but not great Senegal team. They scored one lucky goal followed by an excellent goal late and won in extra time. I was not impressed. They were too slow for Senegal. The US may not be as quick as Senegal, but they are not that much slower.

I could see this game going a number of ways. The US could pressure Belgium and have 60% possession. Or Belgium could push back and the possession could even favor them. Either team could score multiple goals. The key to the game is how the US covers Doku, and whether they can at all. It will be interesting to see how the first 15 minutes look.

In the end, I think Belgium will win 3-2 in a hard fought game. But a US win would not shock me.