UK Government official jokes about taking action over Jarell Quansah England suspension

A source close to a UK government minister has jokingly suggested contacting FIFA over Jarell Quansah's World Cup ban

It follows the England defender's red card against Mexico on Sunday night and the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun.

Quansah was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for a challenge on Jesus Gallardo.

In doing so, he became only the fourth England player ever to be sent off in a World Cup match.

He is also the first to receive a red card since Wayne Rooney against Portugal in 2006.

Ray Wilkins and David Beckham are the only other players to have been sent off for the Three Lions at the finals in 1986 and 1998, respectively.

Quansah is now set to be suspended for this weekend's quarter-final clash with Norway.

Thomas Tuchel's side will bid to reach the semi-finals when they meet in Miami on Saturday at 10pm BST, live on talkSPORT.

Funny business

With FIFA's decision to suspend USA forward Balogun's one-match ban ahead of their match with Belgium, it was joked that the UK's Attorney General, Lord Hermer, could now step in to try and save Quansah.

The striker had been set to miss out after he was sent off in the last 32 against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

FIFA cleared Balogun to play, though, after Gianni Infantino received a phone call from president Donald Trump.

A similar move would see Quansah become available to keep his place at right-back on Saturday

And a source told The Telegraph, in jest, that he ‘will do whatever it takes in Britain’s national interest’.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Prim Minister Keir Starmer said: “Those decisions are for the football governing body.”

They added: “The Prime Minister supports the integrity of competition in all sports. The World Cup has obviously been a fantastic spectacle, and we look forward to England’s next match on Saturday.”

Rule changes

FIFA's rules allow them to determine the length of a red card suspension at the World Cup on a case by case basis.

The governing body also has the ability to suspend a suspension as they have done with Balogun.

Cristiano Ronaldo previously saw part of his ban for a red card against the Republic of Ireland last year suspended to allow him to play Portugal's World Cup opener.

Players are also suspended for one match if they accumulate two yellow cards, with those cards wiped after the group stage and the quarter-finals.

Of the 13 players sent off during this summer's tournament, Balogun is the only one who has had his red card ban suspended.

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