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Messi, Balogun and why two tackles have sparked Wo...

ESPN · Jul 3, 2026, 12:35 AM

Key takeaways

  • As reference, Messi did not receive any sanction from the referee for this contact -- but were they different impact.
  • Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship.
  • - Balogun was sent off for a serious foul play challenge when he tangled with his opponent -- Tarik Muharemovic -- and landed on the ankle of the Bosnia-Herzegovina player with significant impact.

Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.

As reference, Messi did not receive any sanction from the referee for this contact -- but were they different impact.

Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.

- Balogun was sent off for a serious foul play challenge when he tangled with his opponent -- Tarik Muharemovic -- and landed on the ankle of the Bosnia-Herzegovina player with significant impact.

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