Pochettino regrets limited role in Balogun appeal, says controversy changed US energy

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed regret over his limited involvement in the appeal decision for Folarin Balogun's red card, stating that the controversy altered the team's energy before their last-16 World Cup loss to Belgium. Balogun received a one-match ban but FIFA's disciplinary committee later suspended it for a year, enabling his participation in the Belgium match.

The decision sparked controversy following US President Donald Trump's intervention on behalf of the co-hosts, urging FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to review the case. Pochettino admitted he understood how such a change in punishment could impact the match's outcome, as it shifted the team's energy and altered performance parameters.

He believes decisions related to red card appeals should be managed internally by a smaller group of decision-makers, emphasizing the need for commonsense and minimal involvement from external bodies.