The Football Association is considering whether to appeal Jarell Quansah’s red card against Mexico, after Donald Trump’s intervention to overturn Folarin Balogun’s suspension opened the door for other nations to follow suit.
Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute of Sunday’s 3-2 World Cup win following a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo. The Bayer Leverkusen defender faces a one-match ban, ruling him out of Saturday’s quarter-final against Norway. As it was classed as serious foul play, a two-game ban is possible.
“FA considers appealing Quansah red card after Trump's intervention helped FIFA suspend Balogun's ban.”
There is no direct appeal process for red cards at this World Cup, but FIFA’s shock decision to suspend Balogun’s automatic one-match ban for 12 months has prompted FA chiefs to “consider their options”. The US striker was sent off for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic in the last 32. Trump said he personally asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to “review” the red card, calling the call “suspect”. The clause used – article 27 – had never been invoked before at a World Cup and allows FIFA to make whatever decision it wants without meeting other criteria.
“It’s [Quansah’s] a red, but I think we should still appeal it because people are getting it overturned now,” former England international Ian Wright said on The Stick to Football podcast. “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. I think Keir Starmer makes a call and even [French President Emmanuel] Macron for [Michael] Olise. Make a call.” Gary Neville agreed that the dismissal was correct but said the FA should appeal in light of the Balogun U-turn.
England manager Thomas Tuchel was unhappy with the sending-off. The right-back position has been a growing concern; first-choice Reece James has been out since injuring a hamstring against Ghana, with Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Quansah and Declan Rice all featuring there. Quansah himself sustained an injury against Panama but was fit to start against Mexico.
France are also challenging Michael Olise’s yellow card from their win over Paraguay, according to The Athletic. BBC Sport has approached the French Football Federation for comment.
England face Norway in Miami on Saturday. Whether Quansah’s ban stands could hinge on whether the FA can present grounds similar to Balogun’s case – a move that seemed remote until Trump’s phone call changed the rules of engagement.