SouthernWorldwide.com – Former Team USA star John Harkes has voiced his opinion on a potential change to the red card rule in soccer, specifically after a controversial incident involving Folarin Balogun. Harkes, a notable figure from the 1994 USMNT World Cup squad, was present at Levi’s Stadium when Balogun was sent off, an event that drew a strong reaction from many, including himself.
“You know, we’re in the stadium, and right away I think I was standing there next to my daughter-in-law and our grandson, and then my son and my wife. Both my son and my wife, Cindy and Ian, turned and said, ‘That’s not a red card.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh my God,'” Harkes recounted. “I don’t think it was a red card at all, to be honest with you.”
The consequence of Balogun’s red card meant the USMNT had to continue the match with one less player. More significantly, a red card carries an automatic suspension for the subsequent game. Harkes highlighted how a single decision by an official can impact multiple matches, particularly in tournament play, even if the foul in question is considered a “50/50” call.
Harkes himself experienced a similar situation in 1994, the last time the United States hosted the World Cup before the current year. He received yellow cards in the first and third games of the tournament, which led to him being suspended for the crucial match against Brazil on July 4th.
“It crushed me. I kept thinking to myself, ‘This is the best in the world coming together, and you’re going to make a player sit out the next game because of yellow card accumulation?'” Harkes stated, reflecting on the personal impact of such rules.
While soccer’s rules are not as fluid as those in sports like baseball, Harkes expressed a desire for a change in the red card system. His ideal scenario would be for red cards issued in one game not to carry over and affect subsequent matches.
“That’s way above my pay grade, but, at the same time, so many people discuss it on a consistent basis. So, let’s really take a look at this and see: Does it make sense? I don’t think it does. Not in a tournament format. I don’t think so,” he elaborated on his perspective.
Unfortunately for the U.S. team, the current regulations offer no recourse regarding the referee’s decisions. Article 9.6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations explicitly states that protests cannot be made against a referee’s judgments concerning facts related to play. These decisions are considered final and are not subject to appeal, unless otherwise specified within the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Furthermore, Article 10.5 of the regulations clearly outlines the disciplinary actions: “If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match.”
Despite the appearance that Balogun may not have acted with malicious intent, the United States will be forced to play without one of its most impactful players in what is arguably the most significant game in U.S. soccer history on Monday night. The team will need to find a suitable replacement to fill the void left by his absence due to the controversial red card.
