Sports
Messi and Balogun’s Red Card Incidents Analysed By Ex-Ref
Former FIFA referee Mark Halsey has made an interesting comparison between Lionel Messi‘s foul against Algeria and Folarin Balogun’s red-card offence in the United States win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Balogun opened the scoring in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia in the Round of 32 at the World Cup on Wednesday night. The former Arsenal striker then received his marching orders for a foul on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic.
The pair battled for the ball, and Balogun’s studs made contact with Muharemovic’s calf. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus initially missed the incident before VAR intervened and sent him to the pitchside monitor, and he subsequently brandished a red card.
Messi’s Challenge Worse Than Balogun – Ex-FIFA Ref
There has been widespread debate over Balogun’s sending off and USA boss Mauricio Pochettino hit out at the decision after the game. He said, It’s ‘never a red card’ because there was ‘never any intention to step on the player.”
Pochettino also weighed in on the comparisons between Balogun’s sending off and Messi’s foul in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, which didn’t lead to a red card: “For me, neither are red cards.”
Messi didn’t even receive a yellow card for a foul on Algerian defender Aissa Mandi in Argentina’s group stage win. The 2022 World Cup winner scored a hat-trick in that game, but some argue he deserved the same punishment as Balogun, given the similarities between the two incidents.
Halsey defended the decision to send Balogun off because the replays show his studs make contact, even if accidentally. He did, however, opine that Messi’s challenge on Mandi was “far worse” while speaking to The Sun Football on X:
“If we go back to Argentina vs Algeria, a challenge by Messi. That challenge by Messi on Mandi, he had no chance of playing the ball; it’s a poor challenge. He rakes his studs down the back of the Algerian player’s calf.”
He added: “For me, that was far worse than the one we saw with Balogun, which VAR should have recommended a review because it was a clear and obvious error by the match official.”
Balogun will now miss the USA’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium on Tuesday (July 7th) through suspension. He may even have his ban extended if FIFA’s disciplinary panel believe the challenge on Muharemovic warrants more than the one-match ban.
Corruption? – Fans Question FIFA
Fans were quick to recall Messi’s challenge in the aftermath of Balogun’s red card, and some feel the Argentina captain had been handed preferential treatment. A side-by-side replay of both incidents shows significant similarities, raising questions about FIFA officiating and inconsistencies.
Some viewers agree with Halsey and feel Messi’s challenge looked even worse than that of the American frontman, who had been enjoying a superb campaign. One fan wrote on X: “Messi went unpunished for his. He didn’t even get a yellow card. Balogun did even less than Messi and still got a red card.”
British broadcaster Piers Morgan made his feelings known on social media, posting images of the two fouls. He captioned it: “Same tackle. One (Balogun) gets a red card. The other gets no punishment at all. Must be nice being Lionel Messi.”
Some fans have gone as far as to suggest “corruption” and “favouritism” shown towards Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will be in action for the reigning world champions when they face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday night.
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Amid the outcry over the controversial decision, a VAR expert has now cast a strong verdict
Sports
Man Utd Working on Emotional Deal to Bring 6 ft 4 Star Back to Old Trafford
Manchester United have a new goalkeeper target, and it is a familiar face. The Red Devils have a few key needs this summer as they look to build on the momentum built up with their third-place finish last season. Michael Carrick is being given money to spend, and he has made a start with the capture of Ederson, but the search for a Casemiro replacement is proving a frustrating one so far.
United came up short in the race to sign West Ham star Mateus Fernandes, who is to join Tottenham, and that particular search will now go on. But outside of that, Carrick is searching for a versatile attacker and a new back-up goalkeeper.
Onana to leave Man Utd this summer
United are set to offload Andre Onana on a loan deal, with BBC Sport reporting that the stopper is close to joining Turkish club Trabzonspor on a season-long loan deal. They claim the deal is 90% done at this stage, with the former Old Trafford number one going elsewhere for regular football. Onana was signed by United as a number one, costing £47.2million, but while he was capable of top-end saves, he made mistakes too often and showed struggles in reading the game.
Senne Lammens has won the number one spot having proven himself a safe pair of hands, but United will reshuffle the goalkeeping department with a new number two. According to TalkSport, United would prefer a homegrown option, given it satisfies matchday squad rules.
Man Utd work on Johnstone return
With that in mind, TalkSport report that United are working on bringing Sam Johnstone back to the club after eight years. The 33-year-old came through at United before leaving in 2018 having never made a Premier League appearance, spending the best part of seven years out on loan.
The 6ft4″ keeper has since spent four years at West Brom’s number one, then making 29 league appearances over two years for Crystal Palace and most recently making 19 league appearances for Wolves since 2024.
The report claims Johnstone is keen to leave Wolves after their relegation from the Premier League, but he is under contract until 2028.
Ability-wise, Johnstone is realistically a bottom-half Premier League goalkeeper, but many clubs are now opting for a big drop-off between their number one and number two to have a clear number one and save money on their alternative. Arsenal, for instance, have carried Kepa as their number two, well aware that the drop from David Raya is a significant one.
Johnstone could go elsewhere and be a starter in all likelihood, especially in the Championship, but he may settle for a back-up spot on the Man Utd bench to return to his home club and enjoy a taste of top-end football. He may also want to give himself a chance of finally landing an Old Trafford Premier League start, which is not out of the question in a long season when injuries and suspensions inevitably happen, even for goalkeepers.
Man Utd Eyeing Move to Sign Wolves Star as Green Light Given for Sale
Man Utd are already busy ahead of the summer window.
Sports
Harry Kane Points Out ‘Huge Advantage’ Mexico Have vs England
Harry Kane has fired a warning shot ahead of England’s last-16 date with Mexico, admitting there is nothing the Three Lions can do to counter one huge disadvantage awaiting them in Mexico City.
England’s captain was speaking after another dramatic night in the World Cup, rescuing Thomas Tuchel’s side from a shock defeat to DR Congo with a five-minute double that also saw him move above Pele on the all-time World Cup scoring charts.
England trailed DR Congo for over an hour, thanks to Brian Cipenga’s early strike, until Kane’s intervention turned the game on its head, but the celebrations were short-lived once talk turned to what comes next.
Mexico await in the last 16, and this one comes with a built-in obstacle no amount of quality can fix.
Kane Fears England Can’t Overcome Azteca Altitude
That obstacle is the Estadio Azteca, sitting roughly 2,240 metres above sea level and previously the stage for the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.
Mexico have lost just twice in 89 competitive matches there, and Kane fears his side simply won’t have time to adjust to conditions before kickoff. Kane said after his latest goalscoring heroics:
“My understanding is we cannot adapt to the altitude.
It’s a huge advantage Mexico have. There’s not enough time.”
Sports scientists generally suggest a week or two of acclimatisation is needed for the body to adjust to an altitude of that magnitude, something England have no chance of replicating given they only have four days between fixtures.
Thomas Tuchel Accepts England Won’t Be Ready in Time
Tuchel was just as candid, admitting there’s no getting around the physical reality his players face. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “We will not be ready; we will arrive one day early, but we will not be ready because you cannot be ready in terms of adaptation. The body cannot adapt in three days’ time; it’s just impossible.
“We need 12 days’ time, 14 days’ time. We don’t have it, so it is a big disadvantage, of course.”
England, who are based in Kansas City, won’t touch down in Mexico until the weekend, while El Tri arrive unbeaten in 26 games at the Azteca after seeing off Ecuador.
Thunderstorms are forecast for kickoff, and Mexican supporters have already shown their willingness to disrupt opposition preparations, with fireworks set off outside Ecuador’s team hotel before their own visit to the stadium.
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Tuchel, though, insists his players won’t use any of it as an excuse. “Bring it on,” he said. “It’s a very beautiful and exciting fixture. There will be lots of obstacles, but this team will be ready, whatever it takes.”
Sports
Henry Winter: Kane Saved England, But Problems Remain

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