The laws of the game are always open to interpretation. Red cards can be given for “serious fouls,” (regardless of intent). The quirk is that seriousness is subjective, and often tied to the result of the foul rather than the foul itself.
Balogun’s red is inconsistent but, by the letter of the law, correct. (Messi is also notoriously protected by refs—the conspiracy is more about Messi than the U.S.)
EDIT - Found this, because it emphasizes the “result” of the foul and its severity. Messi rakes the calf. It’s a foul, that hurts like hell, but doesn’t “look” as bad as Balogun’s foul.
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