England head coach Thomas Tuchel has questioned FIFA’s decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban, mocking the captain. Harry Kane he has to call the president of the US Donald Trump in an attempt to recover Jarell Quansah’s red card.Tuchel’s comments came after FIFA invoked Article 27 of its rules to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban, making the United States striker available for Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Belgium. The decision followed reports that Trump had contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the dismissal.While Tuchel said he did not believe Balogun deserved a red card, he questioned FIFA’s actions and warned it could open the door to endless complaints about the referee’s decisions.
Tuchel questions FIFA’s inflexibility
Speaking after England’s shock 3-2 win in Mexico, Tuchel said the problem was not whether Balogun’s actions led to his sending-off, but how the decision was later overturned.“I think first of all, to be clear, that it was not a red card,” Tuchel said. “But VAR took action and obviously the three VARs and the referee looked at it and decided it was a yellow card so the decision was made.”ALSO READ: ‘It stinks’: Football world erupts over Donald Trump’s role in FIFA’s Balogun red-turn U-turnHe then asked who had the authority to repeat the decision.“Who will reverse this decision and when and for what reasons? And where is this going now? It’s amazing to me,” he said.The England manager confirmed that the biggest concern was consistency.“We just want to be consistent in our decisions,” he said.Tuchel then pointed to another controversial booking for the tournament.“So, after our yellow card in the first minute against Declan Rice… Now we can argue forever. I think it’s not a yellow card. Until we get this back? Are France returning a yellow card to Michael Olise that was not a yellow?” he asked. “Where will this end? I don’t know the rules. I’m wrong to ask. I’ll wait and see what comes next.”
Referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England’s 26-year-old Jarell Quansah during the World Cup round of 16 match. (AP Photo)
Cheeky Trump jokes later Quansah’s red card
Tuchel couldn’t resist taking a light dig after Trump spoke to FIFA president Gianni Infantino about Balogun’s suspension.After England’s win over Mexico, Trump praised Harry Kane on television, calling the player “a great player.”Asked if Kane could now ask Trump to intervene in Quansah’s red card against Mexico, Tuchel smiled and replied: “Maybe it’s a good start.”The England defender was sent off after a VAR review in the second half at the Estadio Azteca, leaving the Three Lions to play much of the game with 10 men before securing an emphatic victory.
‘Where does this begin and where does it end?’
Tuchel repeatedly returned to what he believed to be the main issue created by FIFA’s decision.“Where does this begin and where does it end now? To tear it down or not to tear it down? What is going on?” he said.He added: “To draw a limit is the question I ask.”The England boss concluded by asking whether any controversial decision that might now be made could be appealed.“Where will this end? Until we think it’s not a red card or who thinks? Where does this start and how does this end?” he said.FIFA said Balogun’s suspension was suspended under Article 27 of its FIFA Law, which allows the governing body to suspend the imposition of a penalty and place the player on probation for one to four years.The decision puts Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament, into the United States’ bid to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup since 2002, but it has also sparked controversy.
