FIFA has made a decision to cancel Jarell Quansah’s red card just days before the game against Norway.
FIFA has announced its decision about Jarell Quansah’s red card during England’s World Cup win against Mexico. In the round of 16 match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, England had to hold their lead with 10 players, despite facing a long weather delay and dealing with the stadium’s high altitude of 2,200 meters.
Quansah was sent off after a VAR review showed a mistimed tackle on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo. Despite being down a player, England fought hard and won 3-2, setting up a quarter-final match against Norway in Miami this Saturday. Quansah, who plays right-back for Bayer Leverkusen, has been a key player in a spot made tricky by Chelsea’s Reece James being injured. England hopes James will be back for the Norway game, but they were thinking about appealing Quansah’s red card.
Though the tackle was accidental, FIFA decided to give Quansah a longer suspension than usual. This is surprising especially since they lifted the automatic ban on US striker Folarin Balogun after his red card for a similar kind of challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA can extend a player’s suspension after a red card during the World Cup, but many experts find it odd that Quansah got a two-match ban while Balogun’s ban was frozen. This means Quansah will miss both the quarter-final and the possible semi-final against Argentina or Switzerland.
ITV Sport reported, “England defender Jarell Quansah has been banned for two matches following his red card in their World Cup last-16 victory over Mexico.” Meanwhile, it’s unclear if the England FA can appeal Quansah’s ban. Sky Sports’ Rob Harris shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the FA can’t appeal and noted FIFA didn’t mention the rule that helped freeze Balogun’s ban.
With how differently rules have been applied across the US, Canada, and Mexico this summer, Quansah might feel it’s unfair he’s missing a big chunk of the tournament for a tackle that deserved a red card but perhaps not such a harsh suspension. FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, have faced criticism for some World Cup decisions, including new hydration breaks introduced without much consultation and big political issues linked to host nations.
Balogun’s ban being lifted after a complicated review process — which even involved Donald Trump — isn’t the worst controversy, but it does highlight how uneven these decisions can be, especially when compared to Quansah’s tougher punishment. These differences are sure to raise questions, especially among UEFA members who are already concerned.