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England head coach Thomas Tuchel has questioned FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, joking that captain Harry Kane he might have to call the US president Donald Trump in an attempt to overturn Jarell Quansah’s red card.Tuchel’s remarks came after FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend the enforcement of Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, making the American striker available for Monday’s round of 16 clash against Belgium. The decision followed reports that Trump had contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the sacking.Although Tuchel reiterated he did not believe Balogun deserved a red card, he questioned the process behind FIFA’s intervention and warned it could open the door to endless appeals against refereeing decisions.
Tuchel questions FIFA’s consistency
Speaking after England’s dramatic 3-2 win against Mexico, Tuchel said the question was not whether Balogun’s tackle warranted a sending-off, but how the decision was later overturned.“I think first of all, to be very clear, it was not a red card,” Tuchel said. “But VAR got involved and obviously the three VAR people and the referee checked it and they were of the opinion that it was a yellow card so the decision was made.”READ ALSO: ‘Absolutely stinks’: Football world erupts over Donald Trump’s role in FIFA U-turn over Balogun red cardHe then asked who had the authority to review the decision.“Who and when and on what basis revokes that decision? And how far does it go now? It’s just strange to me,” he said.The English coach stressed that the biggest concern is consistency.“We just want to have consistency in decisions,” he continued.Tuchel then pointed to other controversial bookings from the tournament.“So is our yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice… Now we can argue endlessly. I don’t think it’s a yellow card. Will we get this back? Will France get back the yellow card for Michael Olise which was not a yellow card?” he asked. “Where does this end? I don’t know the rules. I’m the wrong person to ask. I’ll wait and see what comes.”
Referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England’s Jarell Quansah (26) during the round of 16 match of the World Cup. (AP photo)
After Trump’s cheeky joke Quansah red card
Tuchel also couldn’t resist a light dig after reports emerged that Trump had spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding Balogun’s suspension.Following England’s win over Mexico, Trump took to social media to praise Harry Kane, calling him a “GREAT player”.Asked if Kane could now ask Trump to intervene over Quansah’s red card against Mexico, Tuchel smiled and replied: “Maybe, that’s a good starting point.”The England defender was sent off following a VAR review during the second half at the Estadio Azteca, leaving the Three Lions to play most of the game with 10 men before holding on for a famous victory.
‘Where does this begin and where does this end?’
Tuchel has repeatedly returned to what he believes is the bigger issue created by FIFA’s ruling.“Where does this begin and where does this end now? Can we undo it or not undo it? What’s going on?” he said.He added: “Where to draw the line is the question I’m asking. I don’t have an answer to that.”The England coach concluded by asking whether any contested disciplinary decision could now become open to appeal.“Where is the end of this now, do we complain if the yellow card is not yellow. Do we think it’s not a red card or who thinks so? Where does this begin and where does it end?” he said.FIFA said Balogun’s suspension was suspended under Article 27 of the Disciplinary Code, which allows the judicial body to suspend the implementation of disciplinary action and place a player on probation for one to four years.The ruling makes Balogun, who scored three goals during the tournament, available as the United States tries to reach its first World Cup quarter-finals since 2002, but it also sparked widespread debate.
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