England’s furious FIFA complaint, Kylian Mbappe confrontation, ITV change | Football | Sport
England managerThomas Tuchel was left seething after Jarell Quansah was slapped with a two-match ban (Image: Getty)
Latest World Cup headlines as France beat Morocco and England suffer an injury concern ahead of Norway
- Marc Guehi injury: The England defender faces a race against the clock after being diagnosed with a minor hamstring problem following the Mexico encounter. His condition will be evaluated before the crucial quarter-final, with Thomas Tuchel highly unlikely to gamble on an under-prepared player against Norway’s fearsome forward line.
- Kylian Mbappe fitness: The France skipper sparked injury fears when he was withdrawn late in the Morocco clash and spotted with ice strapped to his ankle. Didier Deschamps swiftly dismissed any significant worries, confirming it was merely a slight knock and that his talisman would be available for the semi-final.
- Erling Haaland‘s frustration: The Norway frontman turned to social media to launch a scathing attack on the protracted video assistant referee (VAR) wait before France’s penalty against Morocco. He expressed his irritation by insisting that forcing a player to hang on for more than three minutes before taking a spot-kick is completely excessive.
- England squad latest: While right-back Reece James is striving to demonstrate his readiness after a hamstring setback, a final call on his availability would constitute a considerable gamble. In positive news, Bukayo Saka has delivered the squad an enormous lift by confirming he has fully recovered from his Achilles complaint and is prepared to take on Norway.
- Jarell Quansah ban: England manager Thomas Tuchel was left seething after FIFA imposed a two-match suspension on the defender following his dismissal against Mexico. Tuchel promptly instructed the Football Association to submit an official complaint, with particular focus on the VAR procedures employed by the match officials.
- Bukayo Saka‘s reaction: The Arsenal winger acknowledged that news of Quansah’s extended ban is deeply disappointing for the whole England squad. Nevertheless, he emphasised the players cannot afford to dwell on grievances and must swiftly adjust their approach to defeat Norway.
- ITV Studio evacuation: Broadcaster ITV was compelled to abandon its rooftop studio in New York during live coverage of France versus Morocco owing to extreme weather conditions. Presenter Mark Pougatch clarified that stringent safety protocols concerning local lightning necessitated the pundits’ move to an indoor location.
- Roy Keane‘s assessment: The forthright pundit vigorously defended Mbappe over his squandered penalty, contending that the three-minute delay unfairly shifts the psychological edge back towards the goalkeeper. He maintained that such an extended pause is simply not right, even when involving world-class calibre players.
- Mbappe confrontation: The striker angrily challenged the referee during a drinks break after his feeble penalty attempt was kept out by Yassine Bounou. His frustration was heightened by French supporters’ discontent surrounding the selection of an all-Argentine officiating team for the fixture.
