The recent decision to send off United States‘ Folarin Balogun during their 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina has sparked considerable controversy. Many have drawn parallels between his challenge and a tackle made by Argentina‘s Lionel Messi, who appeared to rake his studs down the calf of Algeria‘s Aïssa Mandi.
However, Messi was not penalized for his actions, while Balogun received a red card. This raises questions about the inconsistency in officiating.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref), a former Select Group referee with over a decade of elite officiating experience in the Premier League and Championship, provides insight into the rationale behind key decisions made on matchdays.
Examining the Incidents
– Balogun was shown a red card for a serious foul when he inadvertently landed on Tarik Muharemovic‘s ankle with significant force.
– In contrast, Messi’s challenge involved making contact with the back of Aïssa Mandi’s calf while attempting to play the ball, which the referee deemed unworthy of punishment at that moment.
Are the Comparisons Valid?
The simple answer is no.
Comparing such incidents is rarely productive, as each circumstance is unique, and these two are notably different.
While debates rage on regarding red card eligibility, the two challenges differ vastly in execution and outcomes.
Messi’s Situation: It’s important to note that Messi appeared to intentionally challenge for the ball. His tackle posed a risk to his opponent’s safety, with potential injury from contact with his studs on the calf. This should typically result in a red card. The absence of a penalty is perplexing; it isn’t clear why the referee and VAR did not interpret it as a significant foul.
Balogun’s Situation: In contrast, Balogun’s actions did not indicate any intent to compromise his opponent’s safety. The incident occurred during normal play, and he should not have received a red card. However, the VAR interpreted the injury sustained by Muharemovic as grounds for intervention. Examination of slow-motion replays led the VAR to advocate for a red card, disregarding the nuances of full-speed play.
Conclusion
Despite the surrounding debate, these incidents cannot be meaningfully compared due to their distinct characteristics.
Ultimately, while the outcomes—a red card and a non-call—seem appropriate, they were, unfortunately, assigned incorrectly.