Before I go any farther with this one, I need to make a quick point or two to the handful who have griped to me via email regarding the coverage of the World Cup by this outlet.
One, it’s very slow in the NFL right now. But for the fact that it has become the Summer of Law, there wouldn’t be much to discuss here.
Two, our real-time traffic figures show that many are reading the World Cup posts — especially the items from Sunday about the sudden suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension.
Three, the beauty of owning and operating this business is that I can decide what to write and how to write it. It’s been that way from the moment we flipped the switch on November 1, 2001.
Fourth, the site is called “ProFootballTalk.com.” And the rest of the world regards soccer as football.
Fifth, and most importantly, you are not forced — Clockwork Orange-style — to read any item posted here.
This morning’s first bit of news regarding the suspension of the Balogun suspension is that FIFA has given Belgium the ability to appeal the decision, via Yahoo Sports. That’s a great way to ensure the perception of fairness.
“Yes, we’ll hear your appeal. . . . Is that everything? . . . Anything else? . . . We’ll take it under advisement. . . . Appeal rejected.”
At this point, the U.S. has won the geopolitical game of rock, paper, scissors. FIFA won’t change its mind now. That would make the organization look even more sketchy and malleable than it already does.
So, yes, Balogun will be available tonight. The question is whether he’ll play and, first, whether he’ll start. It’s possible that U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has said the team was “punished enough” for Balogun’s red card by being required to finish the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina with only 10 players, will decide to see whether the U.S. can handle Belgium without Balogun — holding Balogun out unless and until it appears that he’s needed.
Regardless, it seems highly unlikely that FIFA will perform an about-face to its prior about-face.
