VAR inconsistencies questioned after controversial Folarin Balogun red card in USMNT World Cup win
Video review doesn’t always improve sports.Former US Men’s National Team forward Herculez Gomez — and many others — called out the “inconsistent” Video Assistant Referee (VAR) that resulted in a controversial red card for USA star Folarin Balogun that knocked him out of Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup.The referees used VAR to determine that Balogun stepped on the back of an opponent’s leg and gave the USMNT star a red card, which will sideline him for next Monday’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium.“With the circumstantial action, you put it into slow motion, you put it into freeze frame, you take it into VAR, and it looks terrible.It looks like he comes across the Achilles tendon of his opponent and it’s an easy red to dissect,” Gomez said Wednesday night on ESPN.
“The problem here is that VAR is so inconsistent, FIFA is so inconsistent.What’s good for the goose isn’t good for the gander.”The VAR-assisted red card could be one that has massive ramifications for the United States since Balogun is their leading scorer with three goals, including the first one Wednesday night.In the 61st minute on Wednesday, with the Americans leading 1-0 on his goal, Balogun stepped on the back of Tarik Muharemovic’s leg, and the play was challenged.The referees used VAR to look at the play, where clear contact was made, and Balogun ultimately earned a red card that forced Team USA to play a man down.Every match of the FIFA World Cup will air on either FOX or FOX Sports 1.
If you don’t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial to stream it all.Prefer to check out the action live and in person? Shop World Cup 2026 tickets on SeatGeek and make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout if you’re a first-time SeatGeek user.Team USA coach Mauricio Pochettino did not like the call, saying it was “never a red card,” and both he and Gomez referenced a similar play earl...