England awaits explanation for Jarell Quansah’s upgraded two-game suspension
England has not yet received an explanation from FIFA regarding the decision to upgrade Jarell Quansah’s red card against Mexico to a two-game suspension. The defender was sent off during England’s 3-2 victory after a VAR review for an ankle-high challenge on Jesus Gallardo.
Typically, dismissals of this nature result in a one-game ban. However, Quansah’s ban was extended to two matches because the challenge was deemed ‘serious foul play’ by FIFA’s disciplinary committee. This means the player will miss the quarter-final against Norway and a potential semi-final match.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed his frustration, stating that no reason has been provided for the upgraded ban. When asked if his previous criticisms of officials might have influenced the decision, Tuchel responded, “I don’t think so. We also have no explanation.”
Suspension Details and VAR Protocol
Quansah’s two-match ban means he will be unavailable for England’s quarter-final fixture against Norway and, should England advance, a potential semi-final match against either Argentina or Switzerland. He would be available if England reaches the final.
The Football Association considered appealing the decision but found no avenue to contest the ban under the tournament regulations. However, the FA reportedly made strong representations to FIFA concerning the process that led to the red card, arguing that the referee was shown a still image of the tackle and slow-motion replays before viewing the incident in real-time on the pitchside screen.
This process, according to the FA, could have resulted in ‘outcome bias’. In contrast, the Premier League typically shows officials incidents at full speed first. VAR protocol states that full speed should be used for assessing the ‘intensity of the challenge,’ while slow motion is for the ‘point of contact for physical offenses.’
The decision regarding Quansah’s ban has drawn comparisons to a previous incident involving United States forward Folarin Balogun. Balogun was also sent off for serious foul play but received a one-game ban that was suspended for 12 months, allowing him to play in his team’s subsequent match. This decision by FIFA generated widespread criticism, including from UEFA and Belgium.
US President Donald Trump reportedly contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s red card. FIFA later issued an 871-word statement explaining its decision, citing “specific circumstances surrounding the incident and evidence available” without providing further details.
Squad Boost Ahead of Norway Match
Despite the setback of Quansah’s suspension, Thomas Tuchel received positive news regarding other key players. Declan Rice, Marc Guehi, and Reece James are all available for selection for the quarter-final match against Norway in Miami.
Rice had been recovering from illness following the last-16 victory over Mexico, while Guehi had missed a training session due to concerns about a hamstring issue. Both players participated in training in Miami on Friday.
Reece James also joined the training session, marking his first appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury during England’s second group stage game against Ghana. Tuchel confirmed that all three players are available for selection.
The availability of these players provides a timely boost for England as they prepare to face a confident Norway side. Tuchel emphasized the importance of the team’s spirit, which was evident in their performance against Mexico despite playing a significant portion of the second half with ten men.
The quarter-final match against Norway is scheduled for Saturday.
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Source: skysports.com
