Jarell Quansah is set to serve a one-match suspension after being sent off in England's dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup last 16 at the Estadio Azteca. The Three Lions advanced to the quarter-finals thanks to two goals from Jude Bellingham and a Harry Kane penalty, but were forced to play the final half-hour with ten men following Quansah's dismissal.
Incident and Decision
The Bayer Leverkusen defender, deployed at right-back due to Thomas Tuchel's injury crisis, was sent off for a lunge on Jesus Gallardo. Although Quansah appeared to win the ball, VAR determined that his follow-through caught the Mexican left-back's leg with his studs, ruling it as violent conduct. As a result, he received a straight red card and is set to serve a one-match ban, which would see him miss the quarter-final clash against Norway in Miami, Florida.
Potential Appeal and Precedent
There is optimism within the England camp that an appeal could be lodged to rescind Quansah's suspension. A precedent was set when FIFA invoked 'Article 27' to suspend Folarin Balogun's ban after the US striker was sent off for a similar challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun's red card was deemed controversial, with US boss Mauricio Pochettino calling it "never a red card," and the Trump administration reportedly intervening with FIFA. Consequently, Balogun is eligible to face Belgium in the last 16.
Thomas Tuchel quipped that Harry Kane could ask President Trump to help overturn Quansah's suspension, while UEFA issued a statement condemning FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban. The outcome of any potential appeal remains uncertain, but England will hope to have Quansah available for the quarter-finals.
