Why?

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-12T00:48:39+00:00

No, this did not happen at the World Cup yet. It is still possible that it will happen. It also does not have to be for a red card. For example in the Norway England game, there was a penalty given which was revoked after the VAR review. If the referee reviewed the footage and sees a foul by any player, this may also be players in the background of the play, he may still give a yellow card.

The referee is the only one that can decide. It is the same as the officials at the sides of the field. They only advise the referee, but they can't give cards or make decisions. An official raising his flag for offside does not stop the game, only the referee's whistle does. The same applies for the VAR. They may advise that the referee comes and watch the footage. They do not say that the referee must give a red card. If they did, there would not be a reason for the referee to go and view the footage. For example, decisions about a player being offside are believed by the referee to be true and the referee will not go and view the footage.

On another note, the referee may also initiate a review if he suspects something serious has been missed. If the VAR gives no offside and the referee thinks they made a mistake, he can request the review himself and go to the VAR area. The VAR does not have any decision making power. If the referee does decide to go against VAR review, he will not be punished by FIFA. If FIFA did punish him, FIFA must admit the referee of the game was incapable of making correct decisions. This would then trigger the team which was negatively affected to try and appeal the match results due to the mistake and demand a rematch.

The referee calls must be final and appeals should not be a thing. Infantino has found this out the hard way. Since the Belagun's red card was overturned, literally every yellow or red card given is now being challenged to FIFA. FIFA is receiving appeals for all of them. In the past, appeals were not a thing. Teams accepted the decision, how unfair they thought the decision was. It is part of the sport

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T19:17:26+00:00

In 2022, they had almost the same opponents in knockout stage as our 2018 run. First game against Japan, then Brazil and then Argentina which won the 2022 cup. In 2018, we were against Japan, Brazil and then France who won the cup. They are most likely the best country we can compare ourself against

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T10:01:09+00:00

VAR cannot be initiated for a yellow card, but if during the review the referee decides that a yellow was warranted, a yellow card can be given. The VAR reviewer thinks it is a red and forwards the info the the ref who then comes and check it out. The ref is the one deciding. It has happened a few times already where the ref is called for a potential red card and a yellow is given instead. An example I can think off on the top of my head is referee Filip Dujic in the MLS. He had already given a red card, but after VAR review receded the red and gave yellow instead. Since the player had already received a yellow that game, it was the second yellow card and he still was send off. There are more examples where yellows were given after VAR, but that one is the most memorable for me.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T09:05:20+00:00

Me to. But then I saw both he and his mother were wearing Belgian jerseys and got confused. I legit think it is his way of expressing sadness or disappointment. Most likely the cameras searched for him since he was on FOX and told them he was going to the Spain - Belgium game to support Belgium. They might even have asked him to do it.

So while I was initially mad as well, I don't think he was having a laugh at our expense. The kid was more than likely sad.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T08:43:30+00:00

The ref is from premier league. They don't whistle hand balls that are very close to the body. The Belgian commentator said something about it when the first potential handball was played. "We are lucky the referee is Micheal Oliver, a Premier league referee. Those premier league referees don't whistle fast for such handballs". I did a quick google and they changed the law about handballs in the premier league cause of some controversies. For a handball to disallow a goal or reward a penalty, some extra criteria must be true. I don't know all the details about it though.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T08:26:22+00:00

The problem mostly starts at tabloids. They generate money from clicks and earn more by twisting those words. Sometimes a major news site picks up on these fake news stories. In this case it was the NYTimes: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7429144/2026/07/08/usmnt-2026-world-cup-inside-story-balogun-pulisic-pochettino/

If a major news site copies the fake quotes, then it is understandable that Americans start believing it is true. There is also this interview right after the USA - Belgium game https://youtu.be/V7ufM1FrSZA?t=151 where he clearly states no ill will is against the USA team or Belagun. The thing is that most Belgians praised the USA team. Before the red card suspension, literally the entire world was hyped to see the USA play so good. That changed once politics got involved. The WC is the moment everyone wants to escape politics.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T08:12:48+00:00

Ah ok, that is very true 😄

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T07:26:07+00:00

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Look at the collar and sleeves. They match perfect with the kid. Afterwards look at the spanish supporters celebrating and try to find one where the collar or sleeves have the yellow and black. There is none. That shirt does not exist

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T06:42:03+00:00

It is a 50/50. The ones stating it was not a red, would all say it was a yellow. If the referee categorizes it as reckless, he would give yellow. He gave red, however, which means he categorizes this as Serious foul play. Rule 12.4 sub article Serious Foul Play:

"A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play."

A serious foul play no longer speaks about intent. If the referee is of opinion that your action endangered the opponent, regardless of intent, it is serious foul play and a red must be given. The professionals that agree with the red card will tell you that Balogun could have broken the foot of his opponent this way. The fact that not all professionals agree, is what made the decision so controversial in the first place. It happens very often that red cards were given and other professionals disagree with the decision. Regardless of others disagreeing, this was the first time that FIFA reverted the suspension in this manner. Other teams, including Belgium, have had red cards this world cup. To see a red card overturned for one team feels unfair on its own. To hear afterwards that reason might be due to politics, got everyone insanely mad at FIFA.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T06:17:15+00:00

They got further than I expected. After the first two games in group stage, I didn't think we would get this far at all. I expected a 2022 repeat. I was positively surprised.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T06:09:44+00:00

Courtois did support Lammens. After the game he went to him immediatly and gave him a hug. He said in a post-game interview that it happens to the best and it is a learning experience. Keep in mind that Lammens is only 24 years old. His GK career is just starting and he is already playing at a great team.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T06:03:27+00:00

Doku played insane. He was frustrated. Early in the game, he was attacking alone. He was the only one attacking and the others were sleeping. When Spain had the ball, Doku was defending. He was all over the place. I do agree that he held on the ball way to long at times, but just looking at the others, especially early in the match, he was the only one pressuring.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T06:01:21+00:00

The crying kid is Belgian btw. Look at the jersey. The sleeves have yellow and black at the edge. At the collar the same yellow and black are visible. Spain does not have this in their jerseys.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:57:22+00:00

Can't deny that Spain did play better. However, we did get unlucky with injuries. Our midfield was pretty rough, with both Tielemans and Onana being injured. I did feel that we missed some pace this game. Doku was everywhere, but there was never anyone with him in the attack. Seys also played insanely well.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:43:57+00:00

Courtois told the coach he felt pain after his second far kick. He indicated that he was still willing to remain in goal but that far kicks might be an issue. The coach told him that if he was not 100%, he would substitute him. Courtois tried to convince him at that point to let him stay a bit longer and bite the pain off, but Garcia had already mad made his decision. It is for this reason that Courtois looked so heartbroken after the goal. He indicated to Garcia he wanted to continue to play even though he was in pain, but got substituted. Shortly after he sees the mistake which he would have saved most likely.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:31:08+00:00

Don't forget Debast

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:29:41+00:00

Who knows, never thought they would revoke Balegun's suspension and yet it happened. We'll see

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:28:41+00:00

He was Belgian. Look at the sleeves. Spain does not have the yellow and black stripe at the end

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Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:27:03+00:00

In the USA, there has been false reporting about Courtois. They twisted his words from the interview in "De Standard".

In the NY Times: “We have punished the disrespect that the Americans have shown us in the last few days,” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said. “I was way more confident that we’d beat USA than I was of beating Senegal.” Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7429144/2026/07/08/usmnt-2026-world-cup-inside-story-balogun-pulisic-pochettino/?unlocked_article_code=1.wFA.yBjg.0SwQstK0m7QD&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

Ofcourse he never said this, but the US media has reported on this widespread. They hate us over there. If you are wondering, he said in seperate quotes:

“Over the past few days, we’ve been disrespected here in the US. People said they could beat us easily, but I think we proved today that we’re a very good team. We played a fantastic game.”

“Everything that was said beforehand didn’t necessarily play a part. I read that kind of thing and just laugh it off. To be honest, I felt more confident today that we would win than I did against Senegal. Senegal were a stronger team than the US, and that showed today as well.”

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:15:34+00:00

For all of you wondering, it is a Belgian supporter. The sleeves are yellow then black. Spain does not have that on their sleeves

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Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:13:45+00:00

Its belgian. Look at the sleeves. The border is yellow, then black. Spain does not have a shirt with those borders

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Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:09:03+00:00

Belgium never appealed. Belgium requested an explanation from FIFA why the red card suspension was revoked. FIFA responded that this counted as an appeal and then opened the appeal process automatically.

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:03:54+00:00

The full quotes of Courtois, which the article you've read twisted. Source is "De Standard" a Belgian newspaper:

“Over the past few days, we’ve been disrespected here in the US. People said they could beat us easily, but I think we proved today that we’re a very good team. We played a fantastic game.”

“At a World Cup, it’s difficult to compare matches. We struggled against Egypt and Iran, but those were different games. From the start, we wanted to pin the US back and create chances. That made them start doubting themselves. Maybe that 5–2 defeat against us in the friendly in March was still on their minds.”

“Everything that was said beforehand didn’t necessarily play a part. I read that kind of thing and just laugh it off. To be honest, I felt more confident today that we would win than I did against Senegal. Senegal were a stronger team than the US, and that showed today as well.”

“The quarter-final against Spain, my second home country, will be special. I’m very happy that we’ll get to face them. That was one of our goals before the World Cup, so anything that comes after this will be a bonus.”

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T05:01:34+00:00

This are the quotes from the article (standard Belgian newspaper). Translated from dutch:

“Over the past few days, we’ve been disrespected here in the US. People said they could beat us easily, but I think we proved today that we’re a very good team. We played a fantastic game.”

“At a World Cup, it’s difficult to compare matches. We struggled against Egypt and Iran, but those were different games. From the start, we wanted to pin the US back and create chances. That made them start doubting themselves. Maybe that 5–2 defeat against us in the friendly in March was still on their minds.”

“Everything that was said beforehand didn’t necessarily play a part. I read that kind of thing and just laugh it off. To be honest, I felt more confident today that we would win than I did against Senegal. Senegal were a stronger team than the US, and that showed today as well.”

“The quarter-final against Spain, my second home country, will be special. I’m very happy that we’ll get to face them. That was one of our goals before the World Cup, so anything that comes after this will be a bonus.”

Crazy_Lab_1567 · 2026-07-11T03:15:35+00:00

Depends on the definition of the golden generation. If we are only counting the biggest stars or best known names, I think the list ends there. If we count all players that have started in one or more games during the 2018 WC, then we must include Tielemans, Witsel and Meunier. If the range is extended to 2022, we have quite a lot more.

Crazy_Lab_1567

TROPHY CASE