Mauricio Pochettino defends FIFA decision on Folarin Balogun, says USMNT ‘punished enough’
Saying his US World Cup side had been “punished enough” for Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card, coach Mauricio Pochettino on Sunday backed FIFA’s shock decision to lift his star striker’s suspension for Monday’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium.
“My reaction is the same as everyone who really loves the game and believes in ethics and integrity,” he said at a press conference at Lumen Field. “We [all] we celebrated that decision.”
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Balogun should have served a one-match ban after being sent off in the 64th minute of Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California. However, in a rare disciplinary change at the World Cup, FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun will be eligible to play and will instead receive a one-year suspension.
The red card was issued following a video review of a challenge between Balogun and the Bosnian defender. The American player’s right foot went down behind his right ankle.
“We were punished enough to play with 10 men [for] 30 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair,” said Pochettino.” Not only am I the coach of the US men’s national team, I need to protect my side. It’s because 99.9%. [of the public agrees] there was an inappropriate red card.”
Later, speaking in Spanish, he said that his team did not benefit from anything because they traveled for a long time with ten people.
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“We are not bad people,” he added.
This episode turns to the White House, where President Donald Trump announced FIFA’s decision allowing Balogun to play.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing the right thing, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump said in a statement released on social media.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said his side had been “punished enough” after FIFA overturned Folarin Balogun’s suspension.
(Jared C. Tilton – FIFA via Getty Images)
The Associated Press reported that Trump intervened by contacting FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asking the organization to review the red card.
Pochettino said he was unaware of Trump’s comments, saying “I’ve been very busy” with training and other social media responsibilities.
Asked about political influence in sports, he added, “We can’t mix that up. That’s FIFA’s decision and the evidence that happened before, and that’s it.”
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The way the red card controversy has overtaken soccer has shown “the power of the game,” Pochettino said. “That’s surprising. … it’s not surprising to me. I came from the Argentine area [and] In Europe, football, soccer is more than religion. … If we continue [to the quarterfinals]we are moving forward, maybe one more step tomorrow, you will see that this game is magic, this game is amazing, it is very powerful, it unites people, it unites the country.”
Pochettino also said that he is not involved in efforts to bring back Balogun, who leads the team with three goals. He said the US Soccer Federation, whose chief executive is JT Batson, is the one handling the matter.
Pochettino called it “a normal process, and the federation, of course, was working hard to try to protect our position.”
FIFA does not have an appeals process in cases like this, prompting Belgium coach Rudi Garcia to say, “I didn’t know that at the World Cup July 5th is actually April 1st. It’s April Fools.”
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Responding to Garcia, Pochettino said, “I know Rudy. I like Rudy. He is a great coach, a great person. Yes, he needs to protect his side.”
He added, “We have to celebrate … the decision not to punish us again, because I think it was enough, and now we focus on the game.”
The Belgian confederation said it was “surprised” by FIFA’s decision and that it was against its rules and disciplinary rules.
The governing body said it would “investigate all possible means” to protect “fundamental principles of fair play.”
Pochettino expressed confidence that, had the suspension remained in place, his team would have endured because “our strength is 26 players. … It’s amazing the strength of how we survived against Bosnia and Herzegovina with 10 men and scored” when we were short.
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Balogun put the US ahead late in the first half and Malik Tillman scored a spectacular free kick late in the game at Levi’s Stadium.
If Balogun had been unable to play on Monday, Ricardo Pepi (played in four games, starting twice) would have been the first to enter the lineup.
Pochettino defended the use of video replays in general but suggested that those in charge needed to improve their use.
“The problem is not VAR, it is the way we will use it [and] who will call the VAR,” he said.
On Saturday, Balogun said he would have understood receiving a yellow card from referee Raphael Claus. He didn’t complain though, he said he wanted to set an example for young players on how to behave in difficult times.
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“Behave well, maybe you will be rewarded,” said Pochettino about Balogun’s positive reaction. “It’s good for him to have this mindset. I’m very happy that he’s acting this way.”
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did not seem fazed by the controversy.
“We as a team are always preparing for all potential strikers,” he said. Balogun is “a very fast striker. We see a different profile than Pepi, but they are all good strikers. … They have a very high level up front.”
