Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was reminded this week just how ruthless sports fans can be on social media.
Just like most American sports fans, Mahomes was watching Wednesday night's World Cup match between the United States men's national team and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though the United States won their Round of 32 match, they lost Folarin Balogun to a controversial red card.
After a VAR review was conducted in the 64th minute, Balogun was thrown out for his rough challenge on Bosnia centre-back Tarik Muharemovic.
“For me, never is it a red card,” USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “Never was there intention to step on the player. If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that was a normal action in football that you are, you know, fighting for the ball and your feet land, no?”
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Mahomes didn't hold back his thoughts on Balogun being sent off the pitch early. He ran over to social media and left this message: "Man what……"
While there's no question Mahomes' complaint was valid, fans thought it was rich that he had an issue with the officiating. After all, he has received a few favorable calls during his NFL career.
"WHO is complaining about refs??" one fan replied.
"You’re not supposed to complain about the refs for another 2 months," a second fan wrote.
"Patrick Mahomes complaining (rightfully so) about a ticky tack call is objectively hilarious," another fan said.
"Not the flop merchant questioning officiating," a social media user commented.
What's the latest on Folarin Balogun?
FIFA has confirmed that Balogun will miss the USMNT's Round of 16 match against Belgium.
The good news, however, is that FIFA won't increase the length of Balogun's suspension. That decision was made on Friday, according to soccer reporter Tom Bogert.
The USMNT is hopeful that Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman and others will step up during Balogun's absence.
