Ex-FIFA Referees Question Different Fates of Balogun, Quansah
FIFA has not explained why Balogun’s one-match ban was suspended while Quansah received a two-match suspension for a similar red-card tackle.
- England defender Jarell Quansah received a two-match World Cup suspension while U.S. striker Folarin Balogun avoided an immediate ban for comparable red-card offenses, sparking FIFA scrutiny.
- FIFA suspended Balogun's one-match ban on one-year probation under Article 27, a decision that intensified controversy after reports emerged that President Donald Trump urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case.
- Former FIFA referee Jonas Eriksson told Reuters that Quansah and Balogun committed 'roughly equal' offenses, stating, "What everyone wants from referees is consistency. Player A gets the same sanction as player B."
- The suspension leaves England manager Thomas Tuchel short on defensive options for Saturday's quarter-final against Norway, with Bukayo Saka admitting the squad found the decision "incredibly frustrating."
- Defender Nico O'Reilly warned England against focusing solely on Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, cautioning that "they've got great players all around the pitch," while acknowledging Quansah's absence is "sad.
18 Articles
18 Articles
U.S. striker Folarin Balogun sees red and is allowed in the next World Cup game anyway. England's Jarell Quansah also flies off the course and is blocked by FIFA for two games. Hä?
As a TV expert, Patrick Ittrich analyses the achievements of the World Cup referees. He talks about the effects of the Fifa ruling in the Balogun case, errors in the K.-o. phase – and whether it is difficult to show Messi Rot.
Gary Lineker blasts Fifa over World Cup ban controversy involving England and USA
Gary Lineker has launched a scathing attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, claiming his position has become "almost untenable" following the governing body's controversial handling of Folarin Balogun's suspension.The former England striker joined a growing chorus of criticism after FIFA allowed Balogun to feature in the United States' World Cup last-16 defeat to Belgium despite the Arsenal forward having been sent off in the previous round.…
Jarrell Quansa will now be unable to play in the quarter-final against Norway. Balogun, meanwhile, was allowed to play despite committing a similar foul. These two cases have brought FIFA's transparency into question.
England furious over Jarell Quansah two-game ban as FIFA faces questions over Balogun decision
FIFA’s handling of disciplinary decisions at the World Cup has come under renewed scrutiny after England defender Jarell Quansah received a two-match suspension while United States striker Folarin Balogun escaped an immediate ban for what former international referees have described as broadly comparable offences. The contrasting outcomes have left England frustrated ahead of Saturday’s World […]
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