Love Jedi and Tim Ream... but..

[SerbianLad]

Compare to the five game ban for Qatar's Madibo which wasn't actually that bad, just terrible luck for Kone.

Now that wasn't a red, unlike this one. It was a completely freak injury. I'm not even sure if that was a yellow. It's a scandalous decision to give him a ban that long.

[USNA90]

From my perspective, if I were to win a WC match, I would want it to be on even terms playing against the opponent's best side. I don't want to win because my team played a man up for 45 minutes, or because my team was awarded a penalty kick in a situation where there was no legitimate chance of scoring, or because the opponent's best player was injured/sick/suspended for an action in the previous game. I get the concern about the suspension being lifted. But from a fan perspective, I would rather watch a match played at full strength on both sides than one that would come with an asterisk next to it.

[SerbianLad]

From my perspective, if I were to win a WC match, I would want it to be on even terms playing against the opponent's best side. I don't want to win because my team played a man up for 45 minutes, or because my team was awarded a penalty kick in a situation where there was no legitimate chance of scoring, or because the opponent's best player was injured/sick/suspended for an action in the previous game. I get the concern about the suspension being lifted. But from a fan perspective, I would rather watch a match played at full strength on both sides than one that would come with an asterisk next to it.

What a load of nonsense. Let's eliminate red cards from football then, so that all teams are at full strength at all times.

He got a red, he's suspended. End off.

[Ara's bacon crisps]

Slightly tangential to this discussion, but with the unflattering names used to describe Infantino above, it reminded me that a few days ago I saw an interview with Lineker on Sky where he called him Sycophantino, which made me laugh at the time and is now becoming increasingly accurate by the day.

[SerbianLad]

I thought FIFA banned Countries for Government interference in Football matters. As someone on here said Infantino makes Blatter look like an innocent choir boy. I am saying sorry to our American fans but this is beyond the pale and i hope the US team are knocked out by Sprouts.

At least Blatter's corruption didn't affect on field stuff, directly at least. Or at least not significantly. He'd take a bribe here or there to let a country host a WC or something like that, but he didn't do things like this. I'm extremely pissed off right now. I couldn't care less who wins this match, if anything, I was leaning towards USA because of Robinson and Ream, but now I desperately want them to lose in a convincing fashion.

[perry geyton]

It was never a red, purely accidental, he paid his price already by getting sent off, the foul has been reviewed and quite rightly deemed as not a red, not the first time this has happened especially in the premier league

So the boy gets to play
Turning this into a political thing imo is ridiculous

[Asotosyios]

I will have to agree with Perry here. It was accidental and looked a lot worse because of how the other guy's foot turned when it hit the ground.

[SerbianLad]

It was never a red, purely accidental, he paid his price already by getting sent off, the foul has been reviewed and quite rightly deemed as not a red, not the first time this has happened especially in the premier league

So the boy gets to play
Turning this into a political thing imo is ridiculous

Crystal clear red. It never happened at international tournaments. It's definitely political. I hope Belgium stuffs them.

[Andrew]

It was never a red, purely accidental, he paid his price already by getting sent off, the foul has been reviewed and quite rightly deemed as not a red, not the first time this has happened especially in the premier league

So the boy gets to play
Turning this into a political thing imo is ridiculous

If you are serious in your comments, and I sincerely hope you are not, then the precedent being set is frightning if taken to a logical conclusion.

If that one is overturned why not any other?

Which other rule would you like to overturn mid way through a tournament?
Messi should have been sent off,why not apply that now?

No political inteference is supposed to apply in football but clearly and by the president's own words it has been applied, what now for any other game? This is carte blanche for the most powerful to use their authority to ignore the rules (which they do anyway as we know) but this is in public. The rules of this tournament were no appeals for red cards, that is what this is? 

What children will learn from this is that the rule of law is a moveable feast and you do not have to comply with the rule of law because the powers that be do not follow the rules.

I suggest you watch the film A Man for all Seasons starring Paul Scofield and pay particular attention to the scene where Thomas Moore  speaks to his son-in law about why adherence to the law is so important.

Of course it shouldn't have been a red but that is not what is at issue, I feel sure you know that.

[First State]

I hope he nets a brace for the win because the comments tomorrow morning are going to be priceless. 😂

[USNA90]

From my perspective, if I were to win a WC match, I would want it to be on even terms playing against the opponent's best side. I don't want to win because my team played a man up for 45 minutes, or because my team was awarded a penalty kick in a situation where there was no legitimate chance of scoring, or because the opponent's best player was injured/sick/suspended for an action in the previous game. I get the concern about the suspension being lifted. But from a fan perspective, I would rather watch a match played at full strength on both sides than one that would come with an asterisk next to it.

What a load of nonsense. Let's eliminate red cards from football then, so that all teams are at full strength at all times.

He got a red, he's suspended. End off.

Fine with me. It's the worst rule in professional sports (maybe slightly worse than penalty kicks). Who wants to watch a match with two sides playing with unequal numbers?  Whenever someone brings up Vinicius' header to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the first thing that comes to mind is that Chelsea was down a man, which diminishes the win for me.  I hate to see a red card, even when my side benefits.

[john dempsey]

Tral by VAR. umpteen slow motion replays.
never a red card, happy the player gets to
play in the biggest game of his life.

[SerbianLad]

Fine with me. It's the worst rule in professional sports (maybe slightly worse than penalty kicks). Who wants to watch a match with two sides playing with unequal numbers?  Whenever someone brings up Vinicius' header to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the first thing that comes to mind is that Chelsea was down a man, which diminishes the win for me.  I hate to see a red card, even when my side benefits.

It's obviously there to prevent players from making dangerous fouls that endanger the opponent. If you know the consequences of such foul, you're less likely to make it. Everyone was appalled by the way Paraguay played. None of their fouls were actually remotely close to seriously injuring a French player. If there was no red cards, they'd have broken their legs (literally).

And even if you think it's a good idea to eliminate red cards, they haven't been eliminated. So by current rules he should have been suspended and that's it. It's not even a debatable issue in my opinion. Rules are extremely simple.

[love4ffc]

We understand this ongoing event may raise concerns and spark differing opinions. Please remember to respect others' views, even when you disagree.

[Chi_FFC]

Tim C has been excellent in the first few minutes. Could have a goal and assist.

[Steeeeeeeeeed]

USA have started terribly. 1-0 to Belgium.

Guilty Feet ain't Got No Rhythm

[The Cravenette]

Belgium starting well in front of a partisan crowd. Ref not getting sucked in either.....yet

[Steeeeeeeeeed]

1-1

The hydration Break changed everything, USA noticeably better even just for the 5 minutes after it.

Blimey, 2-1 to Belgium...Ream and Robinson let the Belgian headerer in.

[terryr]

Ream and Robinson totally to blame for Belgium's 2nd goal. Really awful defending. I have to say Ream is past it and other than his athleticism, Robinson just isn't very good

[Deadcowboys]

It was never a red, purely accidental, he paid his price already by getting sent off, the foul has been reviewed and quite rightly deemed as not a red, not the first time this has happened especially in the premier league

So the boy gets to play
Turning this into a political thing imo is ridiculous

Not for the first time you are factually incorrect. The Red Card stands, the suspension has been deferred. Do keep up!