‘One of the worst decisions I have ever seen in FIFA’

Henry Winter’s World Cup Diary, Day 23

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Mexico City
I was standing outside the Azteca watching a Mexican in a mad man mask blow his horn when news broke of Donald Trump’s phone call to Gianni Infantino about the suspension of Folarin Balogun. It was quickly withdrawn, so the USMNT forward is now available for the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium. It’s a shame. Would another group receive this seemingly preferential treatment? It’s one of the worst decisions I’ve seen from FIFA for putting together 10 World Cups.

The Belgian FA quickly issued a statement explaining how “surprising” the intervention of Infantino, the president of FIFA, in the referee’s position was. Balogun was probably given a red card by mistake but once the decision was made, and there was no appeal process (a mistake, there really should be), that should have been the end of it.

But it seems to be the beginning of it. This development could change football as we know it. FIFA clearly states that everything can be transferred. Good for lawyers, not a game. “Where does it begin and where does it end?” Thomas Tuchel asked. “Who overturns this decision and when? It’s surprising to me. We want enough consistency in the decisions.”

Can England appeal against Declan Rice’s first card against Mexico. “I think it’s not a yellow card,” argued Tuchel. “Can we get this?”

FIFA’s decision undermines the integrity of the refereeing process. Complaints will be the same. FIFA looks weak, as if answering a call from Trump. Political interference and FIFA harangues national associations if they are deemed too close to their governments.

Moderators and antecedents. Balogun’s decision will also reignite the debate over how Cristiano Ronaldo’s two-game suspension was lifted during the World Cup. That was a twist of the rules to get the great Ronaldo into the starting line-up of the tournament.

FIFA has weakened itself and its disciplinary process. It has lost power over the national associations, which can no longer point to Balogun’s example. FIFA undermines the credibility and excitement of the World Cup. It also ensured that Balogun and the USMNT would only be seen as the teachers’ pets, all the president’s men. They really blew the air. Sadly, now, the air seems very polluted.

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The integrity of the sport was not in that decision. It’s sad. Many people have applauded the feeling of sport in this World Cup as having the fans together – as happened to the fans of England and Mexico without the Azteca.

In contrast to events elsewhere, the sports theme was continued by Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre in his farewell press conference.

He came out in large numbers to congratulate England on its victory. “We hope that their other competitions will work for them in a wonderful way,” he said. In a sad night for Aguirre, when he thought emotionally about his pain of not being able to bring the country, Aguirre thought about England, the team that brought him such pain. In a difficult time, as he was “overcome by emotion”, Aguirre wished his winners the best. Thomas Tuchel returned the compliment sportingly. “We have to apologize that you (Meixco) went out because I saw the motivation and feelings of all the people on the side of the road today and yesterday and in front of us.”

Aguirre was disappointed that he did not take Mexico forward, but he considered passing the baton to Rafael Marquez, and he was successful in his support for his successor. It was a test of self-sacrifice.

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Sitting next to a Brazilian journalist in the Azteca media center, I was overcome with emotion for 90 minutes as he was overwhelmed by the events on the screen in front of us. It mercilessly broadcast the disbandment of his favorite team Norway. Along with losing in the round of 16, the loss of identity hurt. It should hurt every football fan. No one expected the reincarnation of the Good Game but the embodiment of a different character, the attacking DNA of Brazil, in the team would have been good.

The land of Rivellino, Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo – and those are just Rs – has not produced the same talent in recent times. Those are long-term problems that need to be addressed by the Brazilian Football Confederation but the short-term ones, the ones that have hindered Brazil’s progress here, also need to be reviewed. Like … why on earth was Joao Pedro not selected? Brazil have been crying out for a midfielder who can finish.

Chelsea fans were surprised by their player of the year, who scored 20 goals in 49 games, a light in a dark season, Carlo Ancelotti was not included in the 26th World Cup. “Maybe it should have been on the list,” Ancelotti said in the announcement. No consolation for Joao Pedro.

And Brazil could be seen struggling in front of goal against Norway. When Endrick spoiled a wonderful ball from Vinicius Jr with a poor first touch, many thoughts turned to how Joao Pedro would have enjoyed the opportunity. It is possible that Brazil is still in the World Cup. Ancelotti may not have any questions about his future.

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