Thomas Tuchel ‘furious’ at Quansah ban as England lodge complaint | Football | Sport
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly furious over the decision to ban Jarell Quansah for two World Cup fixtures. FIFA announced their punishment on Thursday, prompting the England manager to immediately request that the FA convey its fury at the ruling handed down by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.
According to Sky Sports, Tuchel’s frustration centres on referee Alireza Faghan initially being presented with a still photograph of Quansah’s studs making contact with Jesus Gallardo’s shin. His argument is that had the official been shown video footage, he would have observed the defender winning the ball before any contact occurred.
While IFAB regulations do not automatically factor that into considerations around endangering an opponent, it has been suggested that Tuchel believes it might have demonstrated mitigating circumstances. The Three Lions are also powerless to challenge the verdict. FIFA formally announced the outcome in a statement on Thursday.
It stated: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanction on England’s national-team player Jarell Quansah, who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Mexico and England played on 5 July 2026 at Mexico City Stadium: 2-match suspension for a breach of article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Quansah is therefore set to miss England’s quarter-final against Norway and a potential semi-final against Switzerland or Argentina. Other reports suggest The FA made a formal representation to FIFA, arguing that the VAR process had not been correctly followed. Express Sport have approached The FA for comment.
Tuchel is also understood to be furious over FIFA’s ruling to suspend Folarin Balogun’s ban for 12 months. While he maintained it did not warrant a sending off, he did raise serious concerns over the process that resulted in the decision being reversed.
He said: “To be clear it was not a red card. VAR got involved. The decision is made. Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? It’s strange for me. We want consistency. “I think it is not a yellow card, Declan Rice [against Mexico]. Does France get the yellow card back for (Michael) Olise which was not a yellow card. Where does this start and where does this end?”
France also saw their own appeal to have that booking rescinded fall on deaf ears, meaning the Bayern Munich star will be suspended for a potential semi-final should he pick up a further caution against Morocco. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly and Harry Kane are all walking a disciplinary tightrope.
