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Casablanca – Oliver Kahn has criticized the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s suspension against Belgium, using the controversial move to recall Michael Ballack’s 2002 World Cup.
In a post on X, the former Germany goalkeeper and Bayern legend dismissively explained that the situation of the American striker, whose suspension against Belgium was overturned after a phone call from President Donald Trump to Gianni Infantino, reminded him of a situation that involved his teammate Michael Ballack in 2002.
Kahn’s reference goes back to the 2002 FIFA World Cup semi-final between Germany and South Korea. During the match, Michael Ballack received a yellow card before scoring the decisive goal that sent Germany into the final. However, because it was his second yellow card of the tournament, the midfielder was suspended for the final against Brazil, which Germany lost 2-0.
“If we’re going to rewrite football history, I have a little suggestion: I’d like FIFA to rescind Michael Ballack’s yellow card in the 2002 World Cup semi-final, the one that prevented him from playing in the final,” Kahn wrote. “And while we’re at it, we could also replay the final against Brazil,” the goalkeeper added.
Behind its sarcastic and dismissive tone, Kahn’s post is rightly aimed at demonstrating the completely unsportsmanlike nature of FIFA’s decision to rescind Balogun’s red card. Ironically, Balogun had a night to forget against Belgium, failing to make any real impact as his team lost 4-1.
