There has been significant debate after United States forward Folarin Balogun was sent off in the 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina while Lionel Messi was not punished after appearing to rake his studs down the back of Algeria defender Aïssa Mandi. The two incidents produced opposite outcomes and have been widely compared.
Andy Davies, a former Select Group referee with more than 12 seasons on the elite list and experience in the Premier League, Championship and VAR operations, outlined why the cases should be viewed separately. Davies said his background operating at the elite level and within the VAR space gives context to how such incidents are assessed.
Davies set out the key differences. Balogun was dismissed for a serious foul play challenge after tangling with Tarik Muharemovic and landing on the Bosnia-Herzegovina player’s ankle with significant impact. By contrast, Messi challenged from behind and made contact with the back of Mandi’s calf with his studs; the referee took no on-field action in that moment.
On Messi, Davies said the player made a conscious challenge for the ball that showed a disregard for the opponent’s safety. He said that contact with studs on the calf, at a sufficient level of force, endangers an opponent and, under the laws, should merit a red card. Davies added that intent is not a factor in the law and that VAR did not deem the contact forceful enough to trigger an on-field red-card review.
Regarding Balogun, Davies said the forward did not show disregard for safety and did not endanger his opponent, with contact occurring as part of normal dynamic play. He attributed the red card to VAR presenting slow-motion replays and still images that emphasised the impact, rather than the full-speed context. Davies concluded the two incidents are not comparable and that, in his view, the correct outcomes would have been the opposite of those applied.
