John Harkes, a former member of the United States men's national team who played in the 1994 World Cup, has joined the chorus of critics calling for a change to soccer's red card rules after Folarin Balogun was sent off in a controversial decision during a recent match at Levi's Stadium. Harkes, who was in the stands Wednesday night, told Fox News Digital that he and his family immediately questioned the referee's call, which forced the U.S. to play with 10 men for the remainder of the game and will result in an automatic suspension for Balogun in the team's next match.
«We kept going, 'Wait a minute, that's not a red card,'» Harkes recalled. «I don't think it was a red card at all, to be honest with you.» The incident has sparked a broader debate about the impact of a single official's decision on a tournament, especially when a red card carries over to subsequent games. Under current FIFA regulations, a player sent off for a direct red card or a second yellow card is automatically suspended for the next match, meaning one call can affect multiple fixtures.
Harkes knows the frustration firsthand. During the 1994 World Cup, which the United States hosted, he accumulated yellow cards in the first and third group-stage matches, resulting in a suspension for the team's round-of-16 game against Brazil on July 4. «It crushed me,» Harkes said. «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?»
The Balogun red card has drawn widespread criticism because replays suggested the forward had no malicious intent. Despite the controversy, the U.S. has no recourse. Article 9.6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations states that «no protests may be made about the referee's decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code.» Additionally, Article 10.5 confirms that a player sent off for a direct or indirect red card «will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match.»
Harkes acknowledged that changing the rule is «way above my pay grade,» but he argued that the current system does not make sense in a tournament format. «So many people discuss it on a consistent basis,» he said. «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.» The call leaves the U.S. without one of its best players for what many consider the most important game in American soccer history, scheduled for Monday night.
The controversy has reignited discussions about FIFA's disciplinary policies, which have long been criticized for their rigidity. Unlike sports such as baseball, where rules are frequently adjusted, soccer's governing body has been slow to change. Harkes suggested that red cards should not carry over to future games, allowing teams to field their strongest lineups in each match without fear of a single decision altering the course of a tournament.
The U.S. team now faces the challenge of replacing Balogun, who has been a standout performer in the tournament. The suspension comes at a critical juncture, as the team prepares for a high-stakes match that could determine its fate in the competition. Fans and analysts alike have expressed frustration that a controversial call could have such far-reaching consequences, with many echoing Harkes's call for reform.
Harkes, who was a key figure in the 1994 U.S. squad, emphasized that the emotional toll of such suspensions is significant for players. «You work your whole life for these moments, and then one decision takes it away,» he said. While he stopped short of proposing a specific alternative, he urged FIFA to consider the impact on players and teams, particularly in a tournament setting where every game is crucial.
The debate over red card rules is unlikely to subside anytime soon, especially as the U.S. prepares for its next match without Balogun. For now, the team must adapt and hope that the absence of its star forward does not derail its campaign. Harkes's comments add a veteran voice to the growing demand for change, but whether FIFA will listen remains an open question.