England head coach Thomas Tuchel has questioned FIFA’s decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, joking that captain Harry Kane might have to call US President Donald Trump in an attempt to reverse Jarell Quansah’s red card.Tuchel’s remarks came after FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend the implementation of Balogun’s automatic 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 reiterated that he did not believe Balogun deserved a red card, he questioned the process behind FIFA’s intervention and warned that it could open the door to endless appeals over refereeing decisions.
Tuchel questions FIFA’s consistency
Speaking after England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico, Tuchel said the issue 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, that it was not a red card,” Tuchel said. “But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it and were of the opinion it is a yellow card so the decision is made.”ALSO READ: ‘It absolutely stinks’: Football world erupts over Donald Trump’s role in FIFA’s Balogun red-card U-turnHe then questioned who had the authority to revisit the decision.“Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me,” he said.The England manager stressed that the biggest concern was consistency.“We just want to have consistency in the decisions,” he further said.Tuchel then pointed to other controversial bookings from the tournament.“So, is our yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice… We can now debate endlessly. I think it is not a yellow card. Do we get this back? Does France get the yellow card back for Michael Olise which was not a yellow card?” he questioned. “Where does this end? I don’t know the rules. I am the wrong person to ask. I will wait and see what’s coming.”
Referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England’s Jarell Quansah, 26, during the World Cup round of 16 match. (AP Photo)
Cheeky Trump joke after Quansah red card
Tuchel also could not resist a light-hearted dig after reports emerged that Trump had spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding Balogun’s suspension.Following England’s victory over Mexico, Trump praised Harry Kane on social media, calling the striker a “GREAT player.”When asked whether 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 much of the match with 10 men before holding on for a famous victory.
‘Where does this start and where does this end?’
Tuchel returned repeatedly to what he believes is the larger issue created by FIFA’s ruling.“Where does this start and where does this end now? Can we overturn it or not overturn it? What’s going on?” he said.He added: “Where to draw the line is the question that I ask. I have no answer to that.”The England boss concluded by questioning whether every contentious disciplinary decision could now become open to appeal.“Where does this end now? Do we appeal if a yellow card is not a yellow card. Do we think it is not a red card or who thinks it? Where does this start and where does this end?” he said.FIFA said Balogun’s suspension was deferred under Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code, which allows the judicial body to suspend the implementation of a disciplinary sanction and place the player under a probationary period of one to four years.The ruling makes Balogun, who has scored three goals during the tournament, available as the United States bids to reach its first World Cup quarterfinal since 2002, but it has also sparked widespread debate.
