{"id":2622858,"date":"2026-07-02T13:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T17:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/corruption-allegations-fly-as-controversial-referee-decision-dents-us-world-cup-hopes\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T13:07:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T17:07:44","slug":"corruption-allegations-fly-as-controversial-referee-decision-dents-us-world-cup-hopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/corruption-allegations-fly-as-controversial-referee-decision-dents-us-world-cup-hopes\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Corruption&#8217; Allegations Fly as Controversial Referee Decision Dents US World Cup Hopes"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcorruption-allegations-fly-as-controversial-referee-decision-dents-us-world-cup-hopes%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2622858&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-does-this-photo-show-the-monster-building-in-hong-kong-with-hundreds-of-floors\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Does This Photo Show The Monster Building In Hong Kong With Hundreds Of Floors?\">article reports<\/a> on a controversial incident during a world Cup match between the United States adn Bosnia-herzegovina. After a physical confrontation where two players fell,a referee issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/high-ranking-priest-resigns-over-grindr-data-linking-him-to-las-vegas-gay-bathhouse\/\" title=\"High-Ranking Priest Resigns Over Grindr Data Linking Him To Las Vegas\u2019 \u2018Gay Bathhouse\u2019\">red card<\/a> to U.S. star Folarin Balogun for allegedly dragging his cleats onto an opponent&#8217;s leg. the decision was made after a video review, but it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/items-seized-in-controversial-police-raid-at-family-owned-kansas-newspaper-returned\/\" title=\"Seized items from disputed police raid on Kansas newspaper returned.\">sparked widespread criticism<\/a> and accusations of corruption within FIFA. Critics, including media figures and former players, argued that the red card was unjustified and questioned the integrity of the officiating. Despite the red card, the U.S. team won the match 2-0, but the punishment will affect Balogun in the next game against Belgium due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-desperate-father-sought-injunction-after-his-son-is-suspended-for-bat-flip\/\" title=\"Watch: Desperate Father Sought Injunction After His Son is Suspended for Bat Flip\">tournament rules<\/a>. The incident has ignited debates about fairness and refereeing standards in the tournament.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>After two players fell to the ground in a tangle of legs during Wednesday night\u2019s match between the United States and Bosnia-Herzegovina, a referee made a call that could hurt America\u2019s hopes in the World Cup tournament.<\/p>\n<p>Star forward Folarin Balogun was hit with a red card after he dragged his cleats onto the back of a Bosnian player\u2019s leg and onto his foot, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/soccer\/story\/_\/id\/49243703\/usa-folarin-balogun-red-card-bosnia-herzegovina-world-cup-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The call was made after a video review.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Messi didn\u2019t get a red card for this.<\/p>\n<p>But, Balogun got a red card.<\/p>\n<p>Make it make sense, FIFA\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ce9mePP5g6\">pic.twitter.com\/Ce9mePP5g6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JonnyRoot_\/status\/2072504326682255615?\">July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The call was criticized by Clay Travis, who posted his fury <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ClayTravis\/status\/2072498134064751040\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s impossible to defend this call. Impossible. Ref should be fired and investigated for corruption,\u201d he posted.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">It\u2019s impossible to defend this call. Impossible. Ref should be fired and investigated for corruption. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cQ3hwzWr5m\">pic.twitter.com\/cQ3hwzWr5m<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ClayTravis\/status\/2072498134064751040?\">July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>  Although the call did not stop the U.S. team from defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, the real impact will come in the American team\u2019s next game against Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>Tournament rules require that any player slapped with a red card for a foul must sit out his team\u2019s next game.<\/p>\n<p>Journalist Marc Caputo was irate about the call.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Folarin Balogun drew the red card for one simple reason: <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FIFAWorldCup?\">@FIFAWorldCup<\/a> is corrupt.<\/p>\n<p>Dirty refs need to rig the next game against the U.S. by knocking out its leading goal-scorer from the next game <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AQmi47rPH2\">https:\/\/t.co\/AQmi47rPH2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MarcACaputo\/status\/2072642628898681221?\">July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>  \u201cFolarin Balogun drew the red card for one simple reason: @FIFAWorldCup is corrupt. Dirty refs need to rig the next game against the U.S. by knocking out its leading goal-scorer from the next game,\u201d he <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MarcACaputo\/status\/2072642628898681221\">posted on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Balogun was \u201csad\u201d and \u201cdisappointed,\u201d and also disputed the call, according to ESPN.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor me, never is it a red card,\u201d Pochettino said. \u201cNever was there intention to step on the player.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\ud83d\udea8 Jamie Carragher weighs in on Folarin Balogun\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >controversial red card<\/a> in USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, comparing it to Messi\u2019s challenge against Algeria:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f \u201cThis is exactly the kind of decision that makes you question what VAR is actually for. Balogun gets sent off in a\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kRrqReQ7jE\">pic.twitter.com\/kRrqReQ7jE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 TeeJee\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9 (@TeeJeeUtd) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TeeJeeUtd\/status\/2072599922319269988?\">July 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are, you know, fighting for the ball and your feet land, no?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think in this stage of the tournament where every player is important, I think it\u2019s a bit bogus,\u201d midfielder <a href=\"http:\/\/espn.com\/soccer\/player\/_\/id\/256715\/weston-mckennie\">Weston McKennie<\/a> said after learning there is no appeal process.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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