England Defender Jarell Quansah Suspended Two Matches After VAR-Reviewed Red Card

Overview

• Quansah was sent off after a VAR review for a dangerous tackle on Jesús Gallardo that the referee judged to be a direct red card, leaving England with ten men for the remainder of the match against Mexico.
• The disciplinary panel has handed Quansah a two-match suspension, which removes him from England’s upcoming game with Norway and a possible later semi-final.
• Quansah had been starting at right-back for only the second time in the tournament because Reece James is injured and Djed Spence previously filled the spot.
• An unnamed former Rennes player now at Tottenham is reported likely to take the right-back role in Quansah’s absence, creating an immediate selection and tactical change for the manager.
• The decision has provoked criticism in England that FIFA’s discipline is inconsistent, with commentators contrasting Quansah’s ban to the earlier non-suspension of Folarin Balogun after reported intervention by President Trump.