Jarell Quansah don receive two-match ban from FIFA after im red card for England World Cup last-16 victory over Mexico. The defender bin dey devastated by the news.
FIFA announce the sanction on Thursday, saying na for serious foul play. The red card come for the 54th minute when Quansah stretch into a challenge on Mexico left-back Jesús Gallardo. Referee Alireza Faghani no bin award free-kick at first, but after VAR call am to check pitch-side monitor, he change mind and give red card.
Thomas Tuchel, England coach, now get to decide who go play right-back for quarter-final against Norway for Miami on Saturday. Reece James, wey don miss last three matches with hamstring injury, be selection doubt but fit be on the bench. Djed Spence be the most natural choice for the position. Tuchel fit use Ezri Konsa there, as he do after Quansah red card, but Tuchel don talk say he no wan disrupt Konsa partnership with Marc Guéhi for central defence.
Tuchel no happy with the processes wey lead to Quansah red card. He say im dey frustrated with FIFA decision to suspend Folarin Balogun one-match ban after similar red card for USA. Tuchel ask, “Where this start and where this end now? Can we overturn or no? What dey happen?”
England also get headache for centre-back because Guéhi dey nurse hamstring problem and dey race against time to be fit. If Guéhi no fit, John Stones fit come in. Midfield also get problem as Declan Rice dey try to recover from sickness bug.
The Football Association likely don make representations to FIFA about the processes wey lead to Quansah dismissal. There be no right of appeal against red card for this tournament, but FIFA controversial decision to suspend Balogun ban open possibility for overturn.
Bukayo Saka talk, “I just find out. Very frustrating for sure but it be what it be. We get to deal with am, adapt and get ready.” Nico O’Reilly add, “I dey gutted for am and he no happy about am … but the decision don make now and he don get im head around am.”
Quansah go miss Norway match and also semifinal if England progress. England go dey light at right back for Saturday, but hope be say James go fit for Norway or Tuchel go get more juggling to do.
