‘Should Harry Kane Ask President Trump?’ — England Boss Thomas Tuchel Rants Against FIFA Annulling Folarin Balogun’s Red Card
FIFA opened Pandora’s box after stepping in to ensure Folarin Balogun wouldn’t miss the United States Men’s National Team’s Round of 16 encounter with Belgium.
As news came to light of the White House’s interference in the matter, England head coach Thomas Tuchel had a thing or two to say about how FIFA went about its business.
Thomas Tuchel Asks ‘Where Does This End?’ as President Trump Steps In For Folarin Balogun
According to multiple reports on Sunday afternoon, President Donald Trump made a series of calls to FIFA to smooth over the Balogun red card situation. As a result of those calls, it appears FIFA took action, suspending the USMNT star’s one-game suspension.
In their official statement, FIFA made it clear that if Balogun commits another infraction of a similar nature/gravity, the organization would revoke his suspension and enforce the one-game ban “without prejudice.”
It turns out, giving the USMNT’s top scorer special treatment wasn’t without its pitfalls. Who would’ve thought?
In England’s Round of 16 showdown against Mexico, Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red for a challenge on Jesus Gallardo that caught the Mexican left-back high on his calf. As both benches emptied to confront the chaos, the referee went to the screen and adjudged that Quansah’s challenge necessitated a red.
The Athletic reported that the assistant VAR for the game, Juan Soto, was the same official who ordered the review that led to Balogun’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With Quansah now unavailable for England’s next game, Tuchel made it a point to ask some burning questions on FIFA’s state of affairs.
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“To be clear, it was not a red card. VAR got involved. The decision is made. Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? It’s strange for me. We want consistency. I think it is not a yellow card, Declan Rice,” Tuchel said.
“Does France get the yellow card back for (Michael) Olise, which was not a yellow card? Where does this start and where does this end? Do we appeal (Jarell Quansah’s red card)? Should Harry Kane ask President Trump? Maybe!”
After the Three Lions’ 3-2 win over Mexico, President Trump made it a point to give a shout-out to Harry Kane, calling him a “GREAT player!!!”
Opinions on whether Balogun’s red card should have been suspended were split across the board. While Zlatan Ibrahimovic was on board with the USMNT having its talisman back for the encounter against Belgium, Wayne Rooney wasn’t a fan of the turn of events.
“For this to be suspended? They either take the red card away, which I think was probably the right decision and then he can play. But to suspend it for a year I think is an absolute disgrace,” Rooney said on the BBC.
“Infantino should be ashamed of this because I think the sportsmanship of this game is in question here. If I’m the USA’s opponent, I’d be absolutely fuming. I think it’s wrong in every way. I think it’s an absolute disgrace.”
USA vs. Belgium will kick off on Monday, July 6, at 8 pm Eastern live from Lumen Field in Seattle.
