Will Jarell Quansah play against Norway? England seeks FIFA pardon after Balogun decision

The Balogun controversy has not gone unnoticed in England, especially with one of Thomas Tuchel’s players now set to miss England’s World Cup quarterfinal against Norway on Saturday, July 11.

Quansah, who started at right back against host nation Mexico, became the first England player to receive a straight red card at a World Cup since Wayne Rooney in 2006 after catching an opponent with a studs-up challenge. His dismissal has drawn even more attention after Tuchel openly criticized the officiating, saying that “the referees at this World Cup simply haven’t been good enough.”

If it’s good enough for the USMNT, it’s good enough for England

The sending off has sparked political involvement. Noah Law, a British Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament, has written an official letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. While acknowledging that Quansah’s red card was “correct,” he urged FIFA to delay the suspension, just as it did with the U.S. striker.

“The integrity of any major international tournament depends not only on players and referees respecting the rules, but also on those rules being applied equally to every participating nation.”

Others have reacted with humor. According to The Telegraph, some England fans are calling for a “Trump-style battle” with FIFA and want the UK’s Attorney General, Lord Hermer, to pressure soccer’s governing body into overturning Quansah’s red card.

The newspaper also reported, through journalist Martyn Ziegler, that Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee and a Member of Parliament, has urged FIFA to urgently explain its decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on U.S. international Folarin Balogun.

Tuchel is facing a selection headache at right back, and having Quansah’s suspension lifted would solve a major problem. Asked about the situation after England’s hard-fought 3-2 win over Mexico, the German coach responded with a smile:

“Let’s be clear: it wasn’t a red card. VAR got involved. The decision has already been made. Who overturns that decision, when, and on what grounds? It seems strange to me. We want consistency. I don’t think Declan Rice’s yellow card was a yellow either. Are they giving France back Michael Olise’s yellow card because it wasn’t a yellow? Where does this start and where does it end? Do we appeal? Should Harry Kane ask President Trump? Maybe!”

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