World Cup 2026: Fifa official refuses to answer ban questions from BBC
The head of FIFA’s disciplinary panel has refused to answer BBC questions about the decision-making process that led to England’s Jarell Quansah being banned from two World Cup matches.
In England’s 3-2 win over Mexico, defender Quansah was sent off after a tough tackle on Jesus Gallardo.
This was deemed serious foul play, meaning the Bayer Leverkusen player was given an extra match in addition to Fifa’s automatic one-match suspension.
However, the same committee also lifted the ban on US forward Folarin Balogun, who was sent off with a red card for a serious foul against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He should also have been suspended for two matches.
This decision sparked widespread condemnation, especially when it was revealed that US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied FIFA over the American football player’s ban.
BBC sports editor Dan Roan was confronted by FIFA disciplinary committee chairman Mohammed al-Kamali on the way to England’s quarter-final against Norway on Saturday. He asked:
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Can we ask about Balogun’s suspension and whether the FIFA president has asked you to lift the ban?
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Can you tell us anything about this?
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Can you tell us anything about that or why Jarell Quansah was suspended for two games?
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Can you make any comments about how this was portrayed or reported?
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Is there anything you can say, sir?
However, Al Kamali did not answer any of the questions.
FIFA released an 871-word statement following Balogun’s decision, emphasizing that the decision was made “taking into account all the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and the available evidence”, but without providing details of what was taken into account.
