Thomas Tuchel has launched a scathing attack on FIFA following the controversial red card shown to Jarrel Quansah during England's World Cup round-of-16 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. The England manager demanded an explanation after referee Alireza Faghani initially waved play on, only to be instructed by VAR to review the incident and issue a straight red card to the defender midway through the first half.
Despite playing with 10 men for over 35 minutes of the second half, Tuchel's side battled through adversity to secure safe passage into the quarter-finals. However, the incident sparked a post-match controversy as Tuchel referenced FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's red card from the group stage, allowing the USMNT striker to play in their round-of-16 tie against Belgium.
Tuchel Questions FIFA Consistency
Speaking after the match, Tuchel questioned whether the same leniency would be applied to Quansah. "I think first of all, to be very clear, that it was not a red card [for Balogun], but VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it and were of the opinion it is a yellow card so the decision is made," Tuchel said. "Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me. We just want to have consistency in the decisions."
He continued: "So, is our yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice... We can now debate endlessly. I think it is not a yellow card. Do we get this back? Does France get the yellow card back for Michael Olise against Paraguay which was not a yellow card? Where does this end? I don't know the rules. I am the wrong person to ask. I will wait and see what's coming."
Tuchel Blasts Officiating Performance
Overall, Tuchel was not impressed by Faghani's showing, and in a separate rant post-match, blasted the officials for their performance against Mexico. He remarked: "Just not good enough, the referees are just not good enough, the fourth official is just not good enough. We had three people on the VAR from South America, is that right? If this is what I saw, if this is correct... VAR overturns, a clear and obvious error for the penalty? For sure not. They didn't even give a foul. They didn't overturn the yellow to a red. Not good enough, the referee and the fourth official was not good enough."
England's Path Forward
England march on to Miami where they'll face Norway in the quarter-final of the World Cup. Victory against Erling Haaland and co. will see the Three Lions progress into just their second World Cup semi-final since 1990.
