“I’ve been a part of a number of high-profile tournaments since I’ve been here. In every instance where we’ve had a red card in those games, we have followed the appeals process, and we did so in this instance. Our legal team scoured the FIFA codes, identified the best path and argued through the disciplinary process that a suspension was not warranted, which ultimately is how it played out. The broader point is that the reaction proved how much people cared, and that is ultimately what is required for us to win.”

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Paul Kennedy edited Soccer America for 41 years (1985-2026). He began writing for SA in 1974. He started writing for France Football in 1978 and has served on in Ballon d'Or jury since 2007.