Jarell Quansah was given a red card following a VAR check in the second half of England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico on Monday, and fans had expected him to be banned for one game
Jarell Quansah was sent off against Mexico(Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Jarell Quansah has been hit with a TWO game ban after his red card against Mexico. That is a huge blow for England boss Thomas Tuchel, who will be without the defender for Saturday’s quarter-final with Norway and a potential semi-final.
Red cards often result in a one-game ban – but Quansah has been hit with a two match suspension. It is also likely to enrage the Football Association after FIFA put Folarin Balogun’s red card on the back burner so he could play for the United States after a personal intervention by president Donald Trump.
It has left FIFA in a state of disarray as the world governing body will face accusations of double standards. England defender Quansah was sent off after a challenge on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo. He got his marching orders after a VAR check.
There is no right for a direct appeal in the World Cup but the FA were considering their options as a direct result of FIFA’s lenient attitude towards Balogun after Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
That has not gone anywhere and now the FIFA disciplinary committee has dished out a severe ban with two games as a suspension.
They have the right to rule what the suspension should be. Quansah’s challenge was deemed as ‘serious foul play’ which is why he was given two games.
Jarell Quansah slid in on Jesus Gallardo(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
His suspension leaves Tuchel with a headache for the right-back spot. Reece James is the obvious solution, but the Chelsea captain faces a race against time to fit for the Norway clash after missing England’s last three matches with a hamstring injury.
Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa and John Stones are alternatives at right-back, while midfielder Declan Rice made a cameo in the role against DR Congo. Tuchel could also elect for a five-man defence which was successful in the closing stages during Monday’s 3-2 victory over Mexico after England had been reduced to 10 men.
Stopping Norway striker Erling Haaland will be the Three Lions’ priority in Miami on Saturday. A number of pundits believe that Dan Burn should come into the line-up, with the Newcastle centre-back’s towering frame and aerial dominance seen as tools to handle Haaland.
Should England beat Norway, they’ll face the winners of Sunday’s quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland. The semi-final will be played in Atalanta at 8pm UK time on Wednesday, July 15.
