England defender Jarell Quansah has been banned for two matches following his red card in their World Cup last-16 victory over Mexico.
Quansah will miss England’s quarter-final clash with Norway on Saturday and a potential semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland next week.
Quansah was found to have breached article 14 of the FIFA code of conduct, which states a player would get a two game ban for serious foul play.
Quansah started at right-back against Mexico but was shown a straight red in the 54th minute after recklessly sliding in on Jesus Gallardo after a VAR check.
Quansah’s ban leaves Thomas Tuchel with limited options at right-back. Reece James has not featured since picking up a hamstring injury in England’s second group game against Ghana. Djed Spence was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench in the 3-2 win over Mexico after he was nursing an injury.
‘I suspect England will let dust settle before deciding whether to appeal’
Sky Sports News’ football correspondent Rob Dorsett:
“There had been an awful lot of talk from Thomas Tuchel about maybe wanting to appeal against the red card, he thought it was that unjust. It was a strange challenge, you have to say. It was certainly studs first, he made contact with the ball, which was the point Tuchel was making, but he then followed through on the shin of the Mexico player, who went down in quite a lot of pain.
“We know the laws of the game right now; if you endanger the safety of an opponent – whether you take the ball or not – it is a straight red card. I think that’s why England decided not to appeal against it. But we hadn’t made too much of the fact this could be extended to more than a one-game ban by FIFA.
“It’s been to their disciplinary committee, who have the jurisdiction, the discretion to look at the challenge again and decide if it’s worthy of more than the standard one-game ban. It’s pretty clear they have done exactly that. They’ve looked at it, decided it’s a dangerous tackle and so his one-match ban has been extended to a two-match ban.
“We knew he would miss the Norway game, but it also means he will miss the semi-final, potentially against Argentina, should England get there, and he will only be available for a potential World Cup final after this, or a third and fourth-place play-off.
“It will be interesting to see how England respond to this because Tuchel and the FA will have heard this news at the exact same moment we have. Will they appeal that two-match ban? I suspect they will have to let the dust settle and digest the information before they make a decision.”
Gallagher: Red card was right decision
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Dermot Gallagher analyses whether the decision to give Jarell Quansah a red was warranted in the World Cup game against Mexico.
Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports News:
“I do think it’s a red card. If you see it, you know he’s high. He does get a little touch on the ball, but that’s a bonus. He catches him with his studs halfway up the shin.
“From a referee’s point of view, it’s the worst possible dilemma. We talk about a yellow card being upgraded to a red, but it’s actually gone from no foul to red card, which is the opposite end of the spectrum. That’s what causes a lot of debate as people say the disparity is too great.
“But if you actually look at it, it is a red card. It’s just one the referee hasn’t recognised on the field, for whatever reason. You would expect him to, refereeing at that level, but he hasn’t.
“The VAR has, quite rightly recommended a review, and a red card is given.”
Could Konsa be drafted in at right-back?
Sky Sports News’ football correspondent Rob Dorsett:
“Right-back is the last place England need a selection headache. We know Reece James has been struggling for two-and-a-half weeks with a hamstring problem. The England medics have been trying to fast-track him, desperately trying to get him back to play some part in the matches because England are so bereft in that right-back position.
“We know Djed Spence was struggling before the Mexico game and he missed that final training session, so was only able to come on in the latter stages. He looked OK in training yesterday, you have to say, but we only get to see the first 15 minutes. We don’t know how he was and if he took a full part in training after that first 15 minutes.
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Erling Haaland looks ahead to the World Cup match against England, where he will be playing against players he knows from the Premier League.
“England are bereft at full-back. They have only got one left-back in Nico O’Reilly and they have got very few options at right-back. Perhaps Tuchel’s only option might be to start Ezri Konsa – who has been his first-choice centre-back at this tournament – at right-back. If you take him out and stick him on the right, what do you lose from central defensive options?
“Particularly because he’s probably England’s most physical defender – and who are England coming up against? Possibly the most physical striker in world football in Erling Haaland. You can see why that right-back position is so problematic for Tuchel.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
