What FIFA did is known as implementation of the 'Ronaldo Rule' even though they cited that it was a technical breach in VAR protocol because Balogun wasn't initially cautioned before the video was reviewed.
I haven't read their statement and don't really care about what they have to say. A body that creates a fake Peace Prize and awards it to a genocide-supporting orange war criminal doesn't have any credibility.
A player doesn't have to be cautioned by the on-field referee for the VAR to intervene. The VAR is there to correct that what on-field refs don't see, whether that's wrongly issued red cards or red cards that weren't given.
Anyways, the whole drama has come to an end. The US has lost and they are out of the tournament. I think this entire Balogun affair harmed them mentally. I am sure the team believed that everyone outside of the US perceived them as cheaters and that affected their gameplay, which is unfortunate. The players didn't deserve that. Their national team was one of the positive surprises in this World Cup. At least for me.
Will they be able to make big surprise to beat Spain and join the semi final match?
I think Belgium's tournament will end in the 1/4 finals and that Spain is the better team of the two.
