Stale Solbakken on Balogun's overturned ban: It's a bad decision for everyone
Norway's head coach has criticized FIFA's controversial decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play in the World Cup round of 16.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
FIFA has made a controversial decision to allow US forward Folarin Balogun to participate in the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium. Despite receiving a red card previously, his mandatory one-match ban was replaced with a probationary period.
The move has sparked significant backlash, with Norway national team manager Stale Solbakken expressing his disapproval following his team's victory over Brazil. The Norwegian coach did not mince his words regarding the governing body's decision.
It's a big mistake from FIFA. It is not a good decision. The player got a red card, and VAR also concluded that it was a red card. According to the rules, that means he is suspended for one game. Stale Solbakken
Solbakken believes that such a precedent undermines the integrity of the tournament's rules. He argues that even if the USA defeats Belgium, the decision will leave a cloud over the team, while also forcing other nations to question the consistency of FIFA's disciplinary policy moving forward.
I think the worst thing about this situation is that even if the USA wins against Belgium, there will always be this extra shadow following them. What are we supposed to do now with the next red cards in the tournament? It's a bad, a very bad decision that will harm the World Cup and the United States. Stale Solbakken