As the competition intensifies, the politics surrounding the World Cup are following suit. Another controversial FIFA decision has left the English media enraged.
Jarell Quansah’s red card for England against Mexico has resulted in a two-game ban. USMNT Folarin Bolagun, on the other hand, saw his red card ban suspended, allowing him to play against Belgium.
What has resulted is a demand for answers, accusations of corruption, and even calls for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign.
The widely held belief is that the governing body have lost control of the tournament, bending to the will of a certain world leader.
What is your reaction to Jarrell Quansah getting a two-game ban when Folarin Balogun didn't even get one?
FIFA have hit the defender with a two-match ban for his red card against Mexico…
English press furious with FIFA over Quansah and Balogun treatment
The verdict was fairly unanimous.
The Mirror claim “FIFA have lost control of their own tournament”, citing the infamous Donald Trump phone call which he admitted to proudly. He claims the integrity of the tournament is damaged, and “the only way FIFA can regain respect and control is for Gianni Infantino to resign.”
BBC Sport also highlighted the double standards, but in a less direct way. They discuss the challenges being categorised in the same way, as “serious foul play”, and suggesting the bans show “a further inconsistency” in how these decisions are made.
Senior football reporter Henry Winter discussed the decision at length on X, explaining how each decision of this nature from hereon out will be examined “through the Balogun/Trump/Infantino prism.”
As for Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, his words summed up the source of the nation’s ire. He posted to X: “Worth pointing out that Quansah’s “crime” is the same in FIFA terms as Folarin Balogun’s – serious foul play.
“Quansah’s one-game ban has been extended to two. Balogun’s was suspended for 12 months when Donald Trump made a phone call.”
LBC’s Tom Swarbrick lasers in on the political involvement, and “the level of corruption” FIFA have “openly displayed” during this process.
The overwhelming feeling is clear. This double-standard with the handling of Quansah and Balogun’s situations has not sat well with those of an England persuasion. Really, it hasn’t sat well with most lovers of the sport.
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