OT: We may win the World Cup in 2026

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
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Rousing start to this one, with a Norwegian goal called back due to being offside and then Brazil's PK was weak and easily saved (why no Vini Jr?).
 
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ru109

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Sep 18, 2011
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Absolutely stunned that FIFA suspended Balogun's suspension. It's the right call, but never expected it. I don't ever recall seeing such a thing. Great news. Wonder what Belgium thinks...
Two reasons they did it IMO.

1--They knew it was a BS red card
2--$$. The ratings for the US games have been huge, and they want to keep the money train rolling.
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
32,144
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Rousing start to this one, with a Norwegian goal called back due to being offside


More offsides calls that erase goals than legit goals in soccer. First team to 1 wins!
 

MadRU

Heisman
Jul 26, 2001
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Absolutely stunned that FIFA suspended Balogun's suspension. It's the right call, but never expected it. I don't ever recall seeing such a thing. Great news. Wonder what Belgium thinks...
Might be because Messi got away with a worse foul without any card, and people were talking about it.
 

NickRU714

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Aug 18, 2009
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Not to be un-American but....what exactly is the reasoning behind suspending the suspension for a year?

Same question for the Ronaldo suspension.

If the suspensions are to be enforced, why are they suspended?
This gives real "NCAA making up rules as we go along. Preferntial treatment for big names" vibes.
 

Rutgers25

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Jul 29, 2001
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Not to be un-American but....what exactly is the reasoning behind suspending the suspension for a year?

Same question for the Ronaldo suspension.

If the suspensions are to be enforced, why are they suspended?
This gives real "NCAA making up rules as we go along. Preferntial treatment for big names" vibes.

well the red card was total nonsense
 
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RUPete90

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I’m okay with making sh$t up if it rights an egregious wrong. Plus there’s an obscure article saying it’s okay to do it. 😂
 

ru109

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It's pretty impressive that the US is in this position and our best XI have only played like 90 min. together between Pulisic's injury and Flo's Red Card.
 

NickRU714

Heisman
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well the red card was total nonsense

Ok. That doesn't really have any relevance.
Than revoke the red card and punishment entirely.

If the red card is staying - then the punishment should stay as well.
Unless there is some reason to delay it (which I can't think of).

Its a little funny how everyone hates on the NCAA (and other governing bodies) for changing things on the fly - until it benefits their own teams of course.
 

Rutgers Chris

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Ok. That doesn't really have any relevance.
Than revoke the red card and punishment entirely.

If the red card is staying - then the punishment should stay as well.
Unless there is some reason to delay it (which I can't think of).

Its a little funny how everyone hates on the NCAA (and other governing bodies) for changing things on the fly - until it benefits their own teams of course.
Not sure if accurate…
1783288552430.png
 

RU848789

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Jul 27, 2001
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Get ready to row! I have a good friend from Norway who was at their first match in Boston and was there today and said the rowing was epic after that first game - can't wait to hear about today.
 

RU848789

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Jul 27, 2001
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Yeah, and think about that crazy save he had to make off that deflection.
Save of the match, really, even moreso than the PK probably. Such a difficult save, as the ricochet was a surprise and he was moving backwards with the ball way up in the air and twisting away towards the corner, but he got fingers to it to tip the ball off the post, making the save. Wow.
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
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As expected, Belgium is not happy - they're "astonished" at this ruling and will appeal.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/as...bbb9-rBLJFCduE-r2fr8Ydoo9niydbvFPFMLlBjPUCAJy
No surprise that Belgium and other FIFA countries are pissed off. I'm sure we'd be pissed off if the situation was reversed and it appeared some other country got special treatment. Yes, the decision to suspend Balogun's suspension is the correct decision, but now it's going to become some big political football, because, as most who follow soccer know, FIFA is one of the most corrupt organizations in existence and the Trump-Infantino connection is pretty cozy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/us/trump-fifa-balogun-world-cup.html
 
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-RUFAN4LIFE-

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Feb 28, 2015
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No surprise that Belgium and other FIFA countries are pissed off. I'm sure we'd be pissed off if the situation was reversed and it appeared some other country got special treatment. Yes, the decision to suspend Balogun's suspension is the correct decision, but now it's going to become some big political football, because, as most who follow soccer know, FIFA is one of the most corrupt organizations in existence and the Trump-Infantino connection is pretty cozy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/us/trump-fifa-balogun-world-cup.html
There are several players in the WC who were eligible to play because of suspended red cards including Ronaldo.

So let them cry, they said nothing about the others not having to miss a match so I see through their crocodile tears.
 

AreYouNUTS

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
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Get ready to row! I have a good friend from Norway who was at their first match in Boston and was there today and said the rowing was epic after that first game - can't wait to hear about today.
They showed it live with Haalan leading the way!
 

RUChet

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Apr 8, 2023
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I don’t care if people like Trump or no, but it is true that he intervened for Balogun and leveraged his relationship with the FIfA boss. He is an “interventionist” by nature and certainly there is debate if the interventions have been good or bad but nobody can say he’s not an interventionist.

A Harris/Biden admin would likely be less interventionist and likely wouldn’t have the relationship with the FIFA boss - and again - maybe that’s better or not, who cares?

So let’s just say this was “good for USA” and for once not f____ care if it’s a red or blue thing as it’s an AMERICAN thing!

Now let’s beat Belgium!!!!!!
 
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RU206

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Jan 23, 2015
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I asked ChatGPT if FIFA is corrupt- there is strong evidence that FIFA has experienced serious corruption, but it is not accurate to say that every part of FIFA or everyone involved is corrupt
 
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Doctor Worm

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Feb 7, 2002
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There are several players in the WC who were eligible to play because of suspended red cards including Ronaldo.

So let them cry, they said nothing about the others not having to miss a match so I see through their crocodile tears.
If I understand correctly, this is not an exact parallel.

I believe that the other cases were to expunge or suspend red cards which were incurred prior to the tournament (e.g. final qualifying match), which would have carried over to the tournament had they not been expunged. I know that was the Ronaldo situation.

The Balogun case is to my knowledge the only instance of forgiveness being granted for a red card issued DURING the tournament.
 

BigLou

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Jul 25, 2001
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-RUFAN4LIFE-

Heisman
Feb 28, 2015
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If I understand correctly, this is not an exact parallel.

I believe that the other cases were to expunge or suspend red cards which were incurred prior to the tournament (e.g. final qualifying match), which would have carried over to the tournament had they not been expunged. I know that was the Ronaldo situation.

The Balogun case is to my knowledge the only instance of forgiveness being granted for a red card issued DURING the tournament.
Yes but if you're going to issue statements in the manner they have, then they should have objected to the others as well.
 
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-RUFAN4LIFE-

Heisman
Feb 28, 2015
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I asked ChatGPT if FIFA is corrupt- there is strong evidence that FIFA has experienced serious corruption, but it is not accurate to say that every part of FIFA or everyone involved is corrupt
There is plenty of corruption up and down the pipeline not just at FIFA.