Pochettino hails Balogun’s non‑suspension, calls VAR error unfair

In a press conference on 6 July 2026, United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino celebrated FIFA’s decision not to suspend striker Folarin Balogun. He called the VAR intervention “unfair” and said the reversal was a “fantastic decision for the whole football”.

Pochettino criticised the red card given to Balogun in the match against Bosnia‑Herzegovina, saying the VAR should never have intervened. He added that without the VAR error there would have been no dismissal.

He noted that the United States had played roughly 25 minutes without Balogun after the incident, describing the period as “unfair”. Pochettino argued that the team had already been “more than enough punished”.

Belgian federation coach Rudi Garcia had previously called the decision an “April joke”. Pochettino said he respects Garcia as “a good coach and a nice person” but maintained that the decision should be applauded across football.

When asked about any involvement with FIFA, Pochettino said he was training, showered, ate a burrito, drank coffee and went straight to the press conference, leaving no time to check social media. He dismissed former President Donald Trump had influenced the ruling, stating he had not seen any such reaction.

Pochettino mentioned a phone call with FIFA president Gianni Infantino that preceded the green light for Balogun. He concluded that the VAR’s poor intervention was corrected and that the sport’s integrity had been upheld.

The comments were compiled by journalist Axel Brisart for 4AF. Brisart noted the controversy surrounding the red‑card decision.