Ex-Fifa official re-analyses Folarin Balogun's USA red card footage in 'slow motion'

USA's Folarin Balogun can feel aggrieved after being sent off during a freak accident against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Raphael Claus was left with "no choice" after an intervention from VAR.

Balogun scored the opener on the stroke of half-time, netting his third goal of the tournament after a brace against Paraguay in the first game.

Mauricio Pochettino will now be without his star striker against Belgium in the round of 16, however, after being given his marching orders after the hour mark.

In the 64th minute, the centre-forward attempted to close down Tarik Muharemovic, but a tangle of legs saw Balogun rake his studs down the defender's calf.

While the injury could have been far more serious, it has been argued that no malice was shown, and that VAR's intervention was the only reason he was sent off.

Folarin Balogun right to be disappointed with USA red card

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett explained that, in slow-motion, these incidents always look worse, and that the red card was simply "unfortunate".

"This is a classic incident where VAR, with the hindsight of replays and slow-motion, determines that the referee has made a clear and obvious error in not immediately sending the player off," he said.

"In real time, this looks to be an unfortunate accident and I do not see any malice in that challenge. The referee has judged the incident in the same way on the field and takes no action.

"However, when VAR sends the referee to the pitchside monitor and replays are showed in slow-motion, he now clearly sees the face of the boot and studs raking down the player's calf and Achilles.

"These replays take away that natural and accidental action, and forensically leave the referee with pictures that frankly leave him with no other option than tored card the unfortunate player."

Could Balogun be set for a Premier League return?

The talented centre-forward will certainly hope that his red card won't be seen as a red herring to any potential suitors this summer.

Football Insider understands that Everton are one of the clubs interested in the former Arsenal player, but it would take a "huge" fee to land his signature.

Others are bound to come forward after the USA international notched 19 goals and four assists for Monaco in 2025-26, his second-best campaign since leaving England.

The World Cup often acts as the platform that players need to earn their big moves, and that could be the case for Balogun amid strong interest from the Toffees this summer.