England

England are considering whether to challenge Jarell Quansah’s red card after he was sent off during their dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 on Sunday.

According to the Daily Mail, the Football Association (FA) wants to use the Folarin Balogun controversy as leverage to suspend Quansah’s one-match ban.

Quansah was shown a straight red card in the 54th minute after the referee reviewed his tackle on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo following a VAR intervention. 

Ad

The dismissal means the 23-year-old defender is set to miss England’s quarter-final clash against Norway on Saturday due to suspension.

However, the FA has not ruled out lodging an appeal. 

Discussions are ongoing behind the scenes as officials consider whether there are grounds to contest the decision, especially after recent events involving the United States.

Ad

FIFA made a controversial decision to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban until after the World Cup, sending shockwaves across the globe.

The AS Monaco striker had received a straight red card during the US’ 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina and was expected to miss the last-16 meeting with Belgium. 

But his suspension was delayed, allowing him to play in the knockout tie after US president Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Ad

That decision has set a precedent that other teams will undoubtedly be looking to exploit, and England will be the first to test the waters.

Former England stars Gary Neville and Ian Wright both agreed that Quansah’s challenge deserved a red card under the current rules. 

However, they also argued that the Balogun situation has changed the conversation and could justify an appeal from the FA.

Ad

Labour MP Noah Law has also joined the conversation, sending an open letter to FIFA and calling on the governing body to suspend Quansah’s ban.

“Whilst I believe that it was right for Jarell Quansah to have received this red card and that refereeing rules must be applied consistently, I believe it would be right to delay his suspension until after the completion of this World Cup,” Law’s letter read.

“We know that a similar situation arose earlier in the competition when United States forward Folarin Balogun received a red card during the round of 32.

“The integrity of any major international tournament depends not only on players and officials adhering to the rules, but also on those rules being applied equally to all participating nations.

“I am sure we will be unable to justify a situation in which one player benefits from a delayed suspension while another, in materially similar circumstances, does not.”

Recent Posts

Topics

More in England

Source: Footballtoday.com