Judge's Verdict: FIFA Referee Deserves Jail Time

"I'm going to re-start the blog. This time, it's going to be different! At least one, if not two post per week!" - Judge Baltimore in January 2025

Here we are, July 2026. I'm back, and what better way to return to the blogging world than typing up a fired up, pissed off article about a referee in a sport I only watch every four years?

The United States Men's National Team defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 earlier tonight, advancing to the Round of 16 where they will face Belgium on Monday night. The United States first goal was scored by superstar Folarin Balogun. He's a superstar in my opinion because I've only watched United States games and he's been absolutely awesome throughout the tournament so far. Before the tournament, you could have convinced me he was the starting Power Forward for Providence and I would have believed you. Now, he's my fucking guy.

However, as Judge Baltimore, I have a duty to remain impartial and evaluate the facts of the situation.

After hours of studying the rule book, rewatching the tape, and going over witness statements, here is my statement:

WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE DOING???

In a sport where players primarily use their feet to pass, dribble, and shoot the ball, I am absolutely certain there have been millions of examples where there are two players going for a loose ball and one of them accidentally steps on the other one. I'd be willing to bet that 99.99% of those situations did not result in a red flag. It's a part of the game. It happens. Worst case scenario, you get a "playing too hard" yellow card.

Not tonight!

Here is a screenshot from former Select Group referee Andy Davies on ESPN. For the full article, click here: LINK

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo and head referee Raphael Claus determined that the play was "Serious Foul Play", which is described being "Dangerous tackles or challenges using excessive force that put an opponent's safety at risk". To the common viewer, that would probably mean a player intentionally dove at a players knee, stomped on a players ankle, attempted murder on the field, or literally any malicious act that anyone with a working brain would say "yo, that's not right!".

Remember Zinedine Zidane's headbutt? That's a red flag.

This was not the case.

To put it in terms that the common American football fan would understand, this would be like if a corner and a wide receiver were going up for a jump ball, and the corner accidentally landed on the receivers ankle and was ejected and suspended for it.

I accidentally stepped on my girlfriends foot walking into our front door after getting BMore Licks tonight (subtle flex, BMore Licks is so damn good). Do I deserve jail time for this??

Absolutely ridiculous.

I'd be willing to bet that there is ZERO precedent set for this type of punishment. As a matter of fact, something just came across my everything app timeline that would confirm that theory:

Guess who didn't get a red card?

Guess who didn't receive a card at all??

Yup, that would be Messi.

This is giving me flashbacks to when Tom Brady scrambled, slid, and tried to spike Ed Reed in the you-know-whats and every referee turned a blind eye.

I'm fired up like Bob Haynie following an embarrassing Orioles loss. I can't even fathom the decision making from my fellow rule enforcers. This is a black eye for the sport, taking away the top scorer from the HOST COUNTRY.

My man Spencer Schultz (@Ravens4Dummies) suggested this idea, and I am all for it.

What a fucking funny (yet, semi-realistic) world it would be to see Trump get involved in the World Cup and appoint someone like Dean Blandino or Gene Steratore to oversee the FIFA referees throughout the rest of the tournament.

Let's wrap this tangent up. I have made my verdict.

I, Judge Baltimore, have come to conclusion that the VAR Juan Ernesto Soto Arévalo and head referee Rafael Claus deserve to be put in jail for the remainder of the tournament for abusing their power and making the most ridiculous, bullshit, and potentially tournament-changing call without any precedent set. Don't come to the United States and expect to fuck with the United States without any repercussions, boys.

Verdict: Jail Time

#FreeBalogun

(Side Note: Raphael Claus is from Brazil. This was what my dumb brain first thought when I found this out: Will there be a conspiracy towards the Ravens?"

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Peace out yo.