It's been 36 hours since the controversial red card that USMNT leading scorer Folarin Balogun was handed against Bosnia & Herzegovina and the outrage still hasn't subsided. The latest big name to voice his disapproval of referee Raphael Claus' decision is none other than team legend Landon Donovan.
On the latest episode of his Unfiltered Soccer podcast with fellow team legend Tim Howard, Donovan made it clear just how much he despised the call. He called Claus a "moron" for going to VAR after Balogun's now-infamous accidental ankle step on Tarik Muharemovic.
Donovan offered his sympathy to Balogun for getting unfairly sent ejected and having his World Cup campaign "ruined" by Claus and declared that the referee has "no business" officiating a World Cup game anymore.
“This poor guy just got his World Cup ruined by this idiot who has no business refereeing this game.”
The Debate Continues
Fans have continued to debate whether the play should have warranted a red card send off:
"I’ve yet to see any former soccer player, coach or analyst say that it should’ve been a red lmao," one user replied in the video's comments.
"It’s 100% a red card, intentional or not, LD should know better if that was on a U.S player he would be certain it was dangerous. Imagine Baloguns calf and ankle getting studded, LD would be raging if Balogun was injured or out of the tournament permanently so be fair," wrote another.
"So he had to break his ankle to get carded.. what (expletive).. red cards aren’t for challenges that cause injury.. it’s to prevent them," a third pointed out.
© Carlos Barria-Reuters via Imagn Images
"Messi didn't get a Red Card for a disgraceful intentional foul that was worse in this WC. Oh and Raphael Claus, game manipulation, in Brazil not that long ago? Anyone?"
Like it or loathe it, the red card for Balogun will leave the team without their leading scorer for the biggest game in USMNT history: A Monday clash with Belgium in the Round of 16 with a chance to reach the quarterfinals for just the second time in over 90 years.
