Belgium - US game this evening

@Convivial Without Infantino, I'm sure. He's out.

@Northwest It was a harsh red card but arguably true within the letter of the law. I would feel aggrieved if it happened to England but that is life, sometimes decisions go against you. To overturn it, then it needs to prove a clear and obvious error.

I'm not sure that threshold is reached. I also don't think Balogun would be playing if it wasn't for the Trump phone call. A Belgium player who did the same offense would probably miss the game.

I like Balogun as a player and he's had a good world cup but he shouldn't play in this game. If he scores and the US wins, it damages the integrity of the sport.

@Burnley123
That's just it. For once the American public is interested in soccer. Orange Dumbo should have stayed out of it. It's not like he plays any actual sports and as far as I know the USMT did not ask him to interfere and not to mention that the US soccer ecosystem votes for him.

If the Supreme Court had agreed with Trump last week, Balogun would be on the first plane out of the US, because his parents are Nigerians and he was born in the US, because his mother was pregnant with him, and was not allowed in a flight out of the US because the flight crew were concerned she was about to give birth.

The US public will cheer the US team, but this game being in Seattle, the Belgian team will be treated with the respect they deserve.

Great game last night for England.

Other than the US, and Argentina, I guess no New World countries remain in the World Cup.

@Northwest
Ha. Well, Brazil and Argentina are very much part of the Old World in football. Brazil were very poor.

I think Africa has had the best tournament of any confederation, given the reputation of players and pre-tournament expectations. That is a good thing. Though its been a disaster for Asia.

@Persephonee I go away from this being disturbed. And so should you.

@Persephonee


[media=https://youtu.be/vxnpY0owPkA]

@Northwest I'm sure that you don't want to say that we're not all on the same side :)

@22Michelle Now it really stinks to high heaven.

@CookieCrumbs Hope you saw the Belgian fourth goal then :)

@val70
I did! 🤩🥳

I feel bad for the US team, but….

@CookieCrumbs I don't feel bad. The American commentary is now about their team being pussies and Belgium being average playing 🙄

@therighttothink50 Thanks, we'll sell them on e-bay for you to buy!

@val70 you’re a crazy cat.

@therighttothink50 I'll take that as compliment :)

@Burnley123 so every neutral - and a few honest Americans - are suddenly Belgium supporters!

@Yulianna Well, we knew at least one Trump controversy would happen in the WC

@Burnley123 yes...

@CookieCrumbs That it took a phone call from the White House?

@val70
Yes.
A red card normally carries an automatic suspension under FIFA disciplinary rules. Why would that rule be bent this time? Because of a call.

A call from someone who brags about that power to undo a rule. A show of control.

Overturning a red card suspension after direct political intervention undermined the integrity of the tournament and set a dangerous precedent.

The story is also getting attention because that player is a U.S. citizen by birth, and birthright citizenship has been a major political flashpoint in the U.S.

A soccer suspension may sound small, but in this case it sits right at the intersection of sports, politics, and identity.

@Kwek00 for the orange calf though, rules are his to make.
Our high court said so.