England defender Jarell Quansah has been slapped with a two-game ban by FIFA – ruling him out until the World Cup final.
Days after Donald Trump intervened to give US striker Folarin Balogun a lifeline, no such mercy has been granted for England defender Quansah, who was dismissed following a reckless challenge on Jesus Gallardo during the Three Lions’ 3-2 win at the Azteca on Monday morning.
It means he will miss Saturday night’s quarter-final against Norway in Miami, and will also be sidelined for the semi-final should England advance.
Daily Mail Sport had previously reported the FA were considering appealing his red card after United States international Balogun had his one-match ban controversially suspended for a year.
US president Trump called FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to plead for the striker to play against Belgium in the last-16, paving the way for the unprecedented suspension of his ban.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, the President offered no apologies for his unprecedented move but insisted he did not demand Balogun’s ban was flipped in his phone call with FIFA’s Infantino.
‘Yeah, I did, I spoke to Gianni. I asked for a review by FIFA,’ Trump said. ‘That’s all I did. And, you know, again, I’m good at this stuff. That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed who happened to crash into each other.
‘He (Balogun) didn’t do anything wrong, and he’s our best player, or one of our best players, a very vital player and they gave him a red card. I didn’t think it meant much. Then I started hearing that it means you can’t play in the next game, at least in the next game.
‘These were two great athletes who got tangled up. And this referee, who is a little bit suspect – if you check his past. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect. If you’d like, I’ll provide you with his past.’
Balogun played but could not save the US from elimination, with Belgium running out 4-1 winners in Seattle. The Belgians promptly mocked Trump in the aftermath of their victory, jokingly performing the President’s dance moves in the dressing room.
Red cards automatically lead to a one-match suspension at the World Cup, but FIFA can extend bans as they sees fit.
The Three Lions defender was sent off for serious foul play after a high and late tackle on Jesus Gallardo shortly after half time in England’s 3-2 win at the Azteca in the early hours of Monday morning.
More to follow.
