Folarin Balogun’s red card was nonsense, and I cheered for the United States against Belgium earlier this week. Saint Paul, John Paul II, and Pope Leo XIV all warn against what the White House did to erase it.
This situation is worse than it seems. Parent tell children that 'fair play' is the essence of sports: you follow the rules, you respect the other players, and the referee's word is law. You don't argue with the ref, nor the coach. And when the game is over, everyone shakes hands and says: "Good game, thanks." This event upended the Good Sportmanship tradition. Kids see and hear how this unfolded and learn that you can harass the coach, owner, supervisor and get results. That's not 'fair play.' Kids see this and think their parents can undo a red card or a 'benching' with a simple phone call. It's about ethics... always seek to do the right thing.. unless you are the president. I call foul.
Fox News got a news thing that blamed Joy Reid from Joy’S house for the loss it seems. I find this childish. I will pray for everyone in this matter. Joe Klein writes Sanity Clause a, very kind gentleman.
Good theology, bad sports knowledge. It was a red because the ref said it was a red, backed up by VAR and FIFA’s disciplinary review. End of. No American would accept such external interference in the Super Bowl or the World Series, so why cheer for it in the World Cup?
I'm not much of a fan of futball or football or as Americans call it - soccer. In my youth I played many sports; but winning was not nearly as important to me as having fun, even when it was a championship game. What this felon did was to demonstrate the power of this office, cheating and lying like usual. Even if America would have won, we would still have been cheaters. This is who and what so many Americans have become - including maga catholics.
I heard a few Americans griping about the call (I saw it, it was a poor call imo - but I also know what the ref says goes...) And how their president should do something...Well, there you go...he did something and demonstrated to the entire world what MAGAs are. Sad, really.
Just because the felon made it okay for this soccer player to play doesn't mean he had to play either. The Coach could have decided to leave him benched - but winning was more important. Just like winning is always more important to the felon.
This the same corrupt FIFA President Gianni Infantino who awarded warmonger U.S. President Donald Trump the inaugural **FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World** in December 2025.
Infantino presented Trump with the trophy, a medal, and a certificate during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw in Washington, D.C. He cited Trump’s role in helping resolve conflicts and save lives (e.g., references to Gaza and other issues that he abetted). Trump called it one of the great honors of his life.
### Context and Reactions
- This was a new award created by FIFA. Infantino has long courted Trump’s favor, including visits to Mar-a-Lago and praise for the U.S. as a World Cup co-host (with Mexico and Canada).
- The decision drew significant criticism from human rights groups, soccer officials, and commentators, who questioned its appropriateness given Trump’s policies and FIFA’s political neutrality rules. Some called it an “appeasement prize.”
- Infantino later defended it, saying Trump “objectively deserves it” for his peace efforts and continuing unlawful attacks on Iran. 🫢
This is well-documented across major outlets like FIFA’s site, NYT, CNN, and others. Recent 2026 World Cup events (e.g., Trump calling Infantino about a player suspension) have kept their "corrupt" relationship in the news.
This situation is worse than it seems. Parent tell children that 'fair play' is the essence of sports: you follow the rules, you respect the other players, and the referee's word is law. You don't argue with the ref, nor the coach. And when the game is over, everyone shakes hands and says: "Good game, thanks." This event upended the Good Sportmanship tradition. Kids see and hear how this unfolded and learn that you can harass the coach, owner, supervisor and get results. That's not 'fair play.' Kids see this and think their parents can undo a red card or a 'benching' with a simple phone call. It's about ethics... always seek to do the right thing.. unless you are the president. I call foul.
Apart from the misuse of the word soccer, where football is meant, i fully agree. 😉
Yes. I agree with you about the word soccer. It is and it is a game that is played with your foot.
Agree. I too was confused. Thank you, Frank.
Fox News got a news thing that blamed Joy Reid from Joy’S house for the loss it seems. I find this childish. I will pray for everyone in this matter. Joe Klein writes Sanity Clause a, very kind gentleman.
Thank you for the newsletter, Chris. I find out through Sanity Clause that U.S. lost its game.
Good theology, bad sports knowledge. It was a red because the ref said it was a red, backed up by VAR and FIFA’s disciplinary review. End of. No American would accept such external interference in the Super Bowl or the World Series, so why cheer for it in the World Cup?
I'm not much of a fan of futball or football or as Americans call it - soccer. In my youth I played many sports; but winning was not nearly as important to me as having fun, even when it was a championship game. What this felon did was to demonstrate the power of this office, cheating and lying like usual. Even if America would have won, we would still have been cheaters. This is who and what so many Americans have become - including maga catholics.
I heard a few Americans griping about the call (I saw it, it was a poor call imo - but I also know what the ref says goes...) And how their president should do something...Well, there you go...he did something and demonstrated to the entire world what MAGAs are. Sad, really.
Just because the felon made it okay for this soccer player to play doesn't mean he had to play either. The Coach could have decided to leave him benched - but winning was more important. Just like winning is always more important to the felon.
Thank you
Well said, Christopher!!
The man leading the U.S. is a very poor sport. He represents everything that you should not want a child to learn. I was pleased that the U.S. lost.
This the same corrupt FIFA President Gianni Infantino who awarded warmonger U.S. President Donald Trump the inaugural **FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World** in December 2025.
Infantino presented Trump with the trophy, a medal, and a certificate during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw in Washington, D.C. He cited Trump’s role in helping resolve conflicts and save lives (e.g., references to Gaza and other issues that he abetted). Trump called it one of the great honors of his life.
### Context and Reactions
- This was a new award created by FIFA. Infantino has long courted Trump’s favor, including visits to Mar-a-Lago and praise for the U.S. as a World Cup co-host (with Mexico and Canada).
- The decision drew significant criticism from human rights groups, soccer officials, and commentators, who questioned its appropriateness given Trump’s policies and FIFA’s political neutrality rules. Some called it an “appeasement prize.”
- Infantino later defended it, saying Trump “objectively deserves it” for his peace efforts and continuing unlawful attacks on Iran. 🫢
This is well-documented across major outlets like FIFA’s site, NYT, CNN, and others. Recent 2026 World Cup events (e.g., Trump calling Infantino about a player suspension) have kept their "corrupt" relationship in the news.