NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
England will be without one of their key defenders in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, if they advance that far.
Jarell Quansah received a straight red card against Mexico, and it was announced on Thursday that his suspension was increased to two matches instead of the usual suspension. As a result, Quansah will miss Saturday’s quarterfinal match against Norway and a possible semifinal match against the winner of Argentina-Switzerland.
Quansah’s tackle on Mexican left-back Jesus Gallardo was not penalized on the pitch, but he was sent off after a VAR review.
“I called it live when I was working,” FOX rules analyst Mark Clattenburg told us, “and I’ve seen the replays and more and more replays, and the challenge is very fast. … Yes, he touches the ball, but the foot goes over the ball and catches his opponent’s leg. I’ve never had a doubt because not many people can argue that it’s not a red card.”
FOX analyst Dr. Joe Machnik agrees: “What I believe they saw in the English player’s foul was excessive force rushing with two feet at the opponent. Then, while it may have been because he was on the ground, he actually raises his leg with exposed studs higher up the opponent’s leg. So, I believe they felt that one match was not enough.”
Clattenburg further explained the increase in the suspension to two matches.
“If you injure someone with a challenge that could potentially keep a player out of play the rest of the tournament because of that tackle, it should last more than one game,” Clattenburg said. “And I believe that this challenge was certainly more than a normal situation, and a second suspension for the match is the right decision.”
Jarell Quansah’s tackle was not penalized on the pitch, but he was shown a red card after VAR suggested the referee take another look. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
England will be frustrated that Quansah’s suspension was increased while the United States benefited from the review process surrounding Folarin Balogun’s suspension. For Clattenburg, however, Quansah receiving an extra match is consistent with how FIFA has operated in the past.
“It’s a big question because what we’ve seen at this World Cup is unprecedented, especially with the one-match suspension of Flo Balogun,” Clattenburg said. “In the past, this type of challenge automatically received two matches: one automatic and one for the nature of the challenge.
“We saw it earlier in the tournament when a player from Qatar broke the leg of a Canadian player, and he was given five matches. So they look at the challenge, they look at what the impact was and make a decision. And I believe two matches is fair and consistent.
“Take out the Flo Balogun situation, it’s consistent with the other tournaments.”
