How Folarin Balogun's red card got Americans free pizza: Explaining Domino's promotion and who can claim prize

How Folarin Balogun's red card got Americans free pizza: Explaining Domino's promotion and who can claim prize originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>Folarin Balogun's red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup Round of 32 has left the United States without its star striker for the upcoming match against Belgium.

>The USMNT forward, who has scored three goals to lead the United States so far at this tournament, will be out for the upcoming match, but some U.S. fans may be able to score in his place.

>Not goals, but free pizza, that is.

>The Sporting News has details on the Dominos promotion that will give some lucky fans free pizza thanks to Balogun's red card, as well as who is eligible for the promotion.

>MORE:Can teams appeal red card decisions at the World Cup?

How Folarin Balogun's red card could get Americans free pizzaA promotional event by Dominos Pizza will allow Americans to take advantage of the red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1.

>Before the World Cup, Dominos announced its "Emergency Pizzas for Red Card" promotion. The promotion states that if any player on the United States national soccer team is shown a red card during a World Cup match, a certain number of entrants will be selected to receive a coupon for free or discounted pizza.

>"We’re definitely not rooting for one," the Dominos promotion reads. "But if the U.S. is handed a red card, there’s nothing like a free pizza to help make it a little better."

>Fans were asked to sign up for the promotion by June 10 to be eligible for selection. Then, in the event a USMNT player is shown a red card during a World Cup match, up to 63,371 entrants will be randomly selected to receive 1 free medium 2 topping pizza, while everyone else will receive a consolation prize, which is a coupon for 20% off certain discounted menu items.

MORE: What does Folarin Balogun's red card mean for his World Cup future?

Folarin Balogun red cardFolarin Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute for serious foul play after his studs came down on the ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic.

>The referee did not give even a yellow card on the field, but after the VAR recommended a pitchside review of the incident, Brazilian official Raphael Claus

>It was a highly controversial decision, as Balogun was genuinely challenging for the ball and had no malicious intent to injure the opponent.

>The decision not only left the United States down to 10 men for the final third of the match, but it also means that Balogun will be suspended for their next match against Belgium in the Round of 16. There is no appeal process for red card decisions at the World Cup, meaning he will be suspended without reprieve.

>MORE USMNT NEWS:

Who USA would play next in World Cup • >Where is Bosnia-Herzegovina on a map? • >USA's best World Cup finishes ever • >Bosnia-Herzegovina's viral World Cup songHow to claim free Domino's pizzaFor those who successfully signed up for the promotion by the June 10 deadline, no further action is required. Simply check your email inbox periodically, and a coupon will arrive via email.

>It will contain either the grand prize, a free medium pizza, or the consolation prize of a 20% off coupon.

If you did not sign up prior to the June 10 deadline, you’ll have to score free pizza another way, as you are ineligible for the promotion.