The Football Association (FA) is considering an appeal against Jarell Quansah's red card after FIFA controversially suspended Folarin Balogun's one-match ban following a personal intervention by US President Donald Trump. Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute of England's 3-2 win over Mexico for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, ruling him out of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway.
No Direct Appeal Process, but Balogun Case Sets Precedent
There is no direct appeal process in this World Cup, and England manager Thomas Tuchel was unhappy with the decision. However, the FA has seen Balogun's one-match ban suspended for 12 months after Trump asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the red card. This has opened the door for other nations to challenge similar decisions.
England would need to present a case for the suspension to be overturned, which previously seemed remote. But now the FA is considering further steps, according to chief football writer John Cross.
Quansah's Red Card: Correct but Worth Appealing
Quansah was sent off after a VAR review for a challenge on Gallardo. Former England internationals Gary Neville and Ian Wright agreed the dismissal was correct but argued the FA should appeal in light of the Balogun U-turn.
"It's [Quansah's] a red, but I think we should still appeal it because people are getting it overturned now," Wright told The Stick to Football podcast. "If you look at Balogun's one, Balogun isn't going in to break his ankle. It's just clumsy the way it's happened. I think Quansah has gone over the ball a bit but like he [Balogun] has got away with it so why can't England as this has opened up Pandora's box."
Wright added: "I think Keir Starmer makes a call and even [French President Emmanuel] Macron for [Michael] Olise [who was booked in France's World Cup win against Paraguay]. Make a call."
Trump Admits to Contacting FIFA
Trump confirmed on Monday that he personally asked Infantino to review Balogun's red card. "I saw the play… that [challenge by Balogun] wasn't a foul, that wasn't even an infraction, that was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other," Trump said. "These were two great athletes that got tangled up and this referee, who is a little bit suspect, if you check his past, he made a call that nobody could believe. He [Balogun] didn't do anything wrong and he's our best player, or one of our best players… and he [the referee] gave him a red card."
Trump added: "It's very unfair, you can't do that. So, yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who's highly respected [Infantino] and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up 10-fold."
FIFA's Decision on Balogun
Hours before the US Round of 16 match against Belgium, FIFA released a statement from its disciplinary committee, announcing Balogun had been fined $40,000. The statement confirmed that the one-match suspension for the red card had been delayed by one year. The committee said Balogun was investigated for two offenses: the red card and re-entering the field to celebrate with teammates despite his expulsion. It is unclear whether the fine relates to the first or second offense.
