Following FIFA’s decision to permit American attacker Folarin Balogun to play despite being sent off during the 2026 World Cup, England coach Thomas Tuchel has criticized the organization’s disciplinary procedure.
According to Naija News, Balogun was sent off after a VAR review during the United States’ match against Bosnia-Herzegovina and was anticipated to miss Tuesday’s last-16 match against Belgium due to an automatic ban.
Instead, FIFA decided not to impose an immediate ban, allowing the top scorer of the tournament to be chosen.
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Tuchel questioned FIFA’s consistency when asked if England would pursue comparable treatment for Quansah.
“Where does this start and where does this end now?” Tuchel stated. “Can we overturn it or not overturn it? What’s happening?
“The question I pose is where to draw the line. I can’t respond to it.
If a yellow card is not a yellow card, do we still file an appeal? Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It Is It? Where does this begin and where does it finish? It’s my question. I don’t have an answer.
At the 2026 World Cup, Quansah was the thirteenth player to be sent off. Balogun was the only player who did not serve a suspension for their nation’s next game.
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Tuchel thinks there is now ambiguity about how disciplinary matters will be handled for the remainder of the competition as a result of the extraordinary involvement.
“To be very clear, I believe that it [Balogun] was not a red card,” Tuchel stated. However, VAR intervened, and when the referee and three VAR personnel examined it, they concluded that it was a red card, therefore the ruling was made.
“Who reverses this ruling, when, and why? And now, how far does this go? I just find it odd. All we want is for the decisions to be consistent.
We may now argue indefinitely about whether or not we were given a yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice. It’s not a yellow card, in my opinion. Will this be returned to us?
“Will France receive the yellow card back for [Michael Olise], who did not receive one? Where does this come to an end? Where does it end?
“I don’t know the rules. I am the incorrect person. I am the wrong person. I’ll wait and see what happens.
