Soccer fans point out red card hypocrisy over Folarin Balogun and Messi non-call

[ASFN Admin]

Soccer fans and pretty much everyone else are bewildered -- how could Folarin Balogun get a red card for a foul that seemed unintentional and not that bad in the USMNT win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup?

That's the question after a review of his contact with Tarik Muharemovic was given the red card, but as so many fans pointed out, a similar play involving Lionel Messi earlier in the World Cup wasn't given the same treatment. In a game earlier in the tournament, the Argentinian legend was involved in some contact and wasn't shown a red.

Preferential treatment? That's what many fans are crying on Wednesday night:

Friendly reminder that FIFA golden boy Messi received no punishment after this foul earlier in the tournament. pic.twitter.com/lRq5y4tk3k

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) July 2, 2026

Why was Balogun given a red card but this isn’t a red card?!?! pic.twitter.com/a5K3t3xdeK

— Castro1021 (@Castro1021) July 2, 2026

Two relatively similar incidents...

Flo Balogun: red card.
Lionel Messi: unpunished. pic.twitter.com/hbgPSOYWq2

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 2, 2026

Whatever the case my be, it's a questionable call on Balogun.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Soccer fans point out red card hypocrisy over Folarin Balogun and Messi non-call

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