Tuchel jokes Harry Kane should ask Donald Trump to help overturn Quansah ban after Balogun decision

Thomas Tuchel has taken a light-hearted swipe at FIFA’s disciplinary process by joking that England captain Harry Kane may need to ask US President Donald Trump to intervene over Jarell Quansah’s suspension. The England boss questioned the consistency of FIFA’s rulings after United States striker Folarin Balogun was cleared to play despite receiving a straight red card earlier in the tournament.

Tuchel questions Balogun ruling

England’s manager admitted he was baffled by FIFA’s decision to allow Balogun to feature in the United States’ round-of-16 clash with Belgium after the Arsenal striker’s dismissal against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Although Balogun was shown a straight red card, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to defer the suspension, making him eligible for the knockout fixture. The decision left Tuchel questioning how and why such rulings are overturned.

“I think first of all, to be very clear, that it was not a red card,” Tuchel said. “But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it and were of the opinion it is a yellow card so the decision is made.

“Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me.”

Trump joke after Kane praise

The controversy gained even more attention after reports claimed US President Donald Trump had contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding Balogun’s suspension.

Following England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico, Trump praised Kane on Truth Social, calling him a “GREAT player”. Asked whether the England captain could use that apparent connection to help Quansah avoid suspension, Tuchel responded with a smile.

“Maybe, that’s a good starting point,” he joked.

England boss demands consistency

While Tuchel laughed off the political angle, his underlying concern centred on consistency in disciplinary decisions.

The England manager questioned whether similar reviews would now apply to every controversial booking or dismissal throughout the tournament.

“We just want to have consistency in the decisions,” Tuchel explained.

“So, is our yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice… We can now debate endlessly. I think it is not a yellow card. Do we get this back? Does France get the yellow card back for Michael Olise against Paraguay which was not a yellow card?

“Where does this end? I don’t know the rules. I am the wrong person to ask. I will wait and see what’s coming. Where to draw the line is the question that I ask. I have no answer to that.

“Where does this end now? Do we appeal if a yellow card is not a yellow card? Do we think it is not a red card or who thinks it? Where does this start and where does this end?”

England will now wait to discover whether Quansah’s suspension remains in place ahead of their World Cup quarter-final, with Tuchel hoping FIFA applies the same standard of consistency across every disciplinary case.