British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

JonH wrote:

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indiana wrote:

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Yes, nice of FIFA to effectively decide to bring the kick-off time forward by 6 hours to noon local without informing the Mexico or England camps or indeed apparently local Mexico authorities. Diesn't look as if they consulted much more than the weather folk.

Then to have hours of them telling FIFA why this was a very bad idea for clear logistical reasons. And those of the England fans, travelling thousands of miles to and around North America, and then due to take the 2 morning Atlanta to Mexico City flights and liable to miss the game, were clesrly not initially considered either. Clearly they are of much more importance than that it would actually have of course been a much better time for TV audiences at home.

Weather still looks very dodgy but it was nuts to unilaterally plan on having a 6 hour earlier kick off time just 2 days before the match.

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 It would have meant moving the other match as well to avoid a clash. I thought Id posted a comment on it here last night (I know I did, I read it!) but its been removed for some reason? anyway, I had said why was it nuts, but reflecting on it, it was nuts! 

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 Yes, you had a comment that was showing to me at least, and no doubt other mods, as potential spam and sorry, I don't know how to approve supposed potential spam. And it has gone this morning.

Yes, part of the reason I mentioned some England travelling fans vs home TV audiences was I saw that you mentioned the much better TV kick-off time for those back home.

Edit: sorry, as wolf says, it is actually still there listed as spam.

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 4th of July 2026 07:11:12 AM

JonH wrote:

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indiana wrote:

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Hard luck Cape Verde but you leave this World Cup as heroes after your final epic match including a Goal of the Tournament so far that will be very hard to beat.

Argentina 3 Cape Verde 2 AET

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 That second was a great goal and the celebrations with the scorer going into the stands like pat cash at Wimbledon. 
Shame they lost but a great match to watch - stayed up for that in practice for Sunday night ! 

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 The 2nd goal celebration was great though tbf how the scorer apparently never got booked ....

So FIFA have announced that USA striker Folarin Balogun's one-game ban for a red card has been suspended for a year and he is free to play against Belgium in the last 16.

This is evidently unpredented during finals ( yes, suspending Ronaldo's red card from qualifying caused many raised eyebrows but is certainly not unprecedented before finals, within finals it apparently is ).

FIFA say there are rules which allow this though even if true they have given no indication as to why it has been done here. The Belgian football authorities say it is in direct contradiction of the competition regulations and that they are exploring all avenues.

Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among those who had asked FIFA to review the red card. There is no indication that it has been reviewed and found to be wrong but it has been "suspended". Trump has thanked FIFA.

I smell a huge stink, some might think other words. Go and explore all these avenues, Belgium !!!

Huge pity in what up to now had seemed a smoother, better run Finals than I had anticipated. Now in a couple of days from FIFA we have had the Mexico vs England proposed change of kick off time nonsense ( reversed after Mexico and England were allowed a say ) and now this.

indiana wrote:

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So FIFA have announced that USA striker Folarin Balogun's one-game ban for a red card has been suspended for a year and he is free to play against Belgium in the last 16.

This is evidently unpredented during finals ( yes, suspending Ronaldo's red card from qualifying caused many raised eyebrows but is certainly not unprecedented before finals, within finals it apparently is ).

FIFA say there are rules which allow this though even if true they have given no indication as to why it has been done here. The Belgian football authorities say it is in direct contradiction of the competition regulations and that they are exploring all avenues.

Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among those who had asked FIFA to review the red card. There is no indication that it has been reviewed and found to be wrong but it has been "suspended". Trump has thanked FIFA.

I smell a huge stink, some might think other words. Go and explore all these avenues, Belgium !!!

Huge pity in what up to now had seemed a smoother, better run Finals than I had anticipated. Now in a couple of days from FIFA we have had the Mexico vs England proposed change of kick off time nonsense ( reversed after Mexico and England were allowed a say ) and now this.

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And the Belgians, understandably, aren't happy with the decision - from The Times report on it:

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was investigating "all possible options" in order to  "safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport". In a statement, the Association said it was "astonished" by the suspension of Balogun's punishment, adding that the decision was in "direct contradiction" with the World Cup regulations sent to all competing nations before the tournament.

The head coach [Rudi] Garcia said he agreed with the statement, adding: "I didn't know that July 5 was equal to April 1 at Fifa.  We're not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football, its ethics and history. It's the first time in World Cup history that such a decision has been taken."

It is understood that Belgium are considering taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as part of the options under review.

The decision definitely stinks.  Love Garcia's crack about 5th July & 1st April at FIFA.    

Stircrazy wrote:

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Kick-off now put back an hour to 02.00 BST because of "severe weather".  I was hoping to see at least the first half live, but that puts the tin hat on it!      

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The official FIFA statement:

Due to [sic] adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England has been delayed to 19.00 local time (21:00 EDT). The safety and security of all individuals is [sic] Fifa's priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.