FIFA Criticized Over Balogun Red Card Suspension After Call From Trump

Key Facts

Have Any Other Teams Commented On The Decision?

On Sunday, England won its Round of 16 game against Mexico 3-2 to advance to the quarter-finals, where they will take on Norway. However, the team will take the field without defender Jarell Quansah, who received a red card for a dangerous sliding tackle against Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo. In the press conference after the game, the English team’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, disapproved of FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s red card, noting that it will sow confusion for other teams. "Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me.” When a reporter asked Tuchel if the England team could lobby Trump to get involved and overturn Quansah’s one-match ban, the England manager jokingly said, “Maybe, that's a good starting point.”

What Have Other Football Pundits Said?

On BBC Sport’s kick-off show before the England-Mexico game, former England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney said the Balogun decision was “an absolute disgrace. Infantino should be ashamed of this. The sportsmanship of the game is in question here.” French soccer legend and Fox Sports commentator Thierry Henry said the decision must have broken the Belgian team’s “spirit a tiny bit,” noting that they must have prepared to play the game a “certain way” and now have to suddenly change their tactics and preparation. Henry said he believes Balogun never deserved a red card, but criticized FIFA for the time it took to make a final decision on the matter.

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