Friedel says politics has no place in football after Trump’s interference in the World Cup by issuing Balogun’s red card
Brad Friedel was disappointed that political interference overshadowed the United States’ 4-1 defeat by Belgium in the last-16 of the World Cup on Monday, and believes the situation ultimately motivated the Red Devils to do well in the tournament.
Folarin Balogun was red-carded in the 64th minute of USA’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, stepping on the defender’s ankle in a challenge the referee initially missed before VAR reviewed the penalty as a red card.
Under FIFA rules, an automatic one-match suspension should have been served. Instead, FIFA’s disciplinary committee used Article 27 of their code to suspend the ban for one year, allowing Balogun to start against Belgium in Seattle.
Then there were reports that President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino directly to ask for a review, and Trump took to Truth Social to thank FIFA for “redressing a great injustice” before kick-off on Monday night.
UEFA described the decision as “confirming the rules that are no longer confirmed by their guardians.” The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “surprised” and vowed to pursue all available options before Belgium came away with a 4-1 win.
Friedel, a former United States international goalkeeper who has played 82 games, was saddened to see a dark cloud overshadowing the event.
“What went on with the government intervention in the sport and the Balogun situation, yes, it affected the game,” he told 101GreatGoals via Tonybet.
“You see, because one of the first things Balogun did after the game, which was at a high level, was to go up and talk to Rudi Garcia.
“And one more thing, you look at the celebration of the Belgian players after Lukaku’s goal, after the fourth goal, and they were doing the Trump dance. A giant woke up.
“My opinion is just about politics and sports, and this is not just about the World Cup, this is any sport. Politics and sports do not mix. They must stay away from each other. There must be integrity and purity in sports, and there is no need to negotiate.”
Friedel: The USA always faces it with a knock
The defeat itself, Friedel argued, was not simply a product of the surrounding political turmoil. He was always expecting a tough night against Belgium, even without Balogun in the team.
“I have always said from the first day that if we hit the round of 32 or 16 and we play an opponent who is better than us, we will struggle, especially if the opponent runs on the wings,” he added. “
“They destroy our backs, so [Antonee] Robinson and [Sergino] Dest has to stay back, and it isolates itself [Christian] Pulisic in a one-on-one situation against other good players.
“Our whole approach is to win the ball in midfield or go up high and switch quickly.
“They’re a better team than us. That’s what it is.”
Belgium played at a level, Friedel noted, that fans had not seen since their golden days, including the likes of Eden Hazard.
Charles De Ketelaere scored two goals, Hans Vanaken added a third, and Romelu Lukaku finished the game in the second half.
Malik Tillman’s curling free kick gave the USA a narrow equalizer just before halftime, but the hosts came out on top in the 90th minute.
“I haven’t seen Belgium play like this in the last few years,” admitted Friedel.
Pochettino aimed to win the World Cup
With the host nation’s tournament over, attention turns to the position of head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino himself told reporters after the defeat that “it wasn’t our day” and that the side “didn’t perform as well as we should have.”
Whether it will last another four-year cycle leading to the 2030 World Cup is the next big question.
Friedel, who knows former Tottenham boss Pochettino well, believes the answer depends on what the manager sees when he assesses the squad in the coming weeks.
“There is no other way for him to go into this World Cup thinking of anything other than winning it, that’s the man’s mentality. I know how far we are, we have very good players but we don’t have what these other teams have.
“I personally would like him to stay, because the most important thing for us right now is the attitude, the way we develop the players mentally and how we get them to come in and compete. Mauricio can help with that, especially with another four years.
“I don’t know if he will agree because he has to look at the team he is in now that won’t exist in four years and look at the Under 20 team and see who can come.
“He needs to see if it’s the right team to stay in, and try to do something historic. And now that Mauricio has seen what the concept is about and how far we are, I’m not sure if he’ll deal with this. But would I like him.
“But you know there will be no shortage of requests.”
Brad Friedel was speaking in partnership with Tonybet. Tonybet’s World Cup Card Collection Campaign can see Canadian customers win up to $150,000 CAD.
