Jarell Quansah banned for TWO games: FIFA refuse to show mercy to England star after Mexico red card – despite bending to Donald Trump’s World Cup intervention

FIFA handed Jarell Quansah a two-match ban despite strong statements from the FA.

Daily Mail Sports It had previously been reported that the FA was considering appealing Quansah’s red card against Mexico after President Donald Trump controversially called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to rescind Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban.

Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah was sent off following a VAR review for a slippery tackle on the pitch that initially went unpunished in England’s last 16 win over Mexico.

The FA declined to comment but Daily Mail Sports Although there was no avenue for appeal, Folarin understands they made a number of observations to FIFA similar to those made by US officials following Balogun’s sacking.

After President Trump made a direct call to FIFA President Infantino, Balogun’s ban was postponed for a year, allowing him to play against Belgium, which resulted in a 4-1 defeat.

But the situation was different for England; FIFA decided to go beyond the automatic one-match ban and extend it to two matches; This means Quansah will miss the quarter-final and semi-final against Norway if England advance on Saturday.

Quansah will not take part in this tournament again unless England reach the final

Quansah received his marching orders for a tackle on left-back Jesus Gallardo in the 54th minute of the Three Lions’ epic 3-2 win at the Azteca.

The former Liverpool man won the ball but caught his opponent with his stabs on the follow-up shot.

Red cards result in an automatic one-match suspension from the World Cup, but FIFA can extend bans if they see fit, which now means Quansah will not be able to play again in this tournament until the final if England win.

After the match, angry head coach Thomas Tuchel complained about the use of still images and slow-motion replays during the VAR process.

In the Premier League, officials review events in real time. This was a similar point to the one made by the US and Trump when they intervened in Balogun’s case.

FIFA insisted Balogun’s decision was made independently but faced widespread allegations over the integrity of the competition. In fact, UEFA described the move as ‘unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable’.

While the British government was not involved, the FA presented what it believed was a strong case.

However, he encountered a very different reaction.

In the statement made by FIFA, “FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed the following sanction on England national team player Jarell Quansah, who received a red card due to a red card in the 2026 FIFA World Cup match played between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium on 5 July 2026: 2-match suspension for violating Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Rules.

The penalty will be imposed in the match(ies) that the team representing England will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and in accordance with the article. 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.’

Bukayo Saka admitted his disappointment in the England camp following FIFA’s call just days after offering a postponement to Balogun.

‘This is absolutely frustrating,’ Saka said. ‘That’s why it is. We need to deal with it, adapt and prepare. I don’t know what to say (about Balogun). This was FIFA’s decision. This decision is saddening for us. ‘We had to choose a ready-made team.’

Nico O’Reilly echoed Saka’s sentiments and revealed the extent of Quansah’s disappointment in camp.

“It’s sad for him,” the Manchester City defender added. ‘Unfortunate. I was heartbroken for him. He’s not happy about it. The decision has now been made and he is thinking about it.’

O’Reilly added: ‘Obviously it’s not ideal. We have great players here. You’ve seen the impact of the bench. ‘We were very solid with 10 men.’

Quansah’s suspension was the latest disciplinary concern as Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Marc Guehi received yellow cards. Another against Norway would see both eliminated from a possible semi-final.

FIFA showed no mercy to Quansah, days after Donald Trump’s controversial intervention

FIFA suspended the red card of US star striker Folarin Balogun for one year following the phone call between Trump and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino.

Considering the precedent in the Balogun case following President Trump’s intervention, it is clear to understand why Quansah’s ban caused great consternation.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, the President did not apologize for his unprecedented move but insisted he had not asked FIFA to lift Balogun’s ban in his phone call with Infantino.

‘Yes, I did, I talked to Gianni. “I asked FIFA for a review,” Trump said. ‘That’s all I do. And again, I’m good at this.

‘This wasn’t a foul. It wasn’t even a violation. These were two men running at full speed and accidentally bumping into each other.

‘He (Balogun) did nothing wrong and he is 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 this meant you couldn’t play in the next game, at least not the next game.

‘These were two great athletes mixed together. And this referee who is a bit suspicious if you check his background. I don’t want to say this because I don’t like to create controversy, but I’m very skeptical. ‘I can tell you about his past if you want.’

Trump insisted he did not force Infantino to make Balogun available.

I didn’t say, ‘You have to do this.’ “Gianni is a smart, tough guy and his stock is going through the roof,” Trump said.

‘I didn’t know what a red card was. When I found out I said ‘you’re kidding’. I was like, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s scary.’ But then I looked at his past and he wasn’t that good.

‘I didn’t tell him (Infantino) what to do, I can’t tell him what to do.’

Shortly after Trump’s speech, Infantino released a statement regarding the growing outcry around the world.

“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and I received a call from President Donald Trump on this matter, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and corporate executives from around the world on many different matters,” Infantino said. he said.

‘During our meeting, I explained that a legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies was ongoing and that the issue would be decided by the competent authorities as soon as possible. This is how FIFA’s system works and it is a principle I will always defend.

‘I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee as soon as they are published.

‘Sometimes I’m surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, sometimes I don’t.

England coach Thomas Tuchel is furious about the quality of World Cup referees

‘But what I have always done is to respect those decisions and the autonomy of the institutions that make them.

‘It doesn’t matter whether we personally like a decision or not. ‘Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what always protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA.’

Balogun played but could not save the USA from elimination; Belgium came from behind with a 4-1 win in Seattle. The Belgians immediately mocked Trump after their victory, playfully showing off the President’s dance moves in the locker room.

As for England, the only change after the win against Mexico is Djed Spence, who is expected to replace Quansah.

Right-back has been a problematic position for England throughout the tournament, with Reece James struggling with a hamstring problem and Newcastle’s Tino Livramento withdrawing from the squad on the eve of the tournament with a calf injury.

James, 26, missed training on Wednesday as he continues an accelerated recovery program, and it remains to be seen whether he will be ready for Saturday’s last-eight game in Miami.

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