England star banned for 2 World Cup video games as Thomas Tuchel dealt main blow for Norway

England have had to deal with their fair share of unfortunate events, but one of their latest blows is a huge one for Thomas Tuchel

Jarell Quansah has been slapped with a two-match suspension following his red card in England’s win over Mexico. This comes as a massive setback for Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel, who will be missing the defender for Saturday’s quarter-final against Norway and a potential semi-final.

Red cards typically result in a one-match ban – but Quansah has been handed a two-game suspension. The Football Association is likely to be incensed after FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban, allowing him to represent the United States following a personal intervention by President Donald Trump.

This has plunged FIFA into chaos, with the global governing body facing allegations of double standards. England defender Quansah was dismissed following a tackle on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo.

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He received his marching orders after a VAR review. There is no provision for a direct appeal in the World Cup, but the FA were weighing up their options in light of FIFA’s lenient stance towards Balogun after Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

That has not progressed, and now the FIFA disciplinary committee has meted out a harsh ban with a two-game suspension, reports the Mirror. They have the authority to determine the length of the suspension.

Quansah’s challenge was categorised as ‘serious foul play’, which is why he was given two games. This saga is a stark contrast to the situation around Balogun’s dismissal.

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The Monaco forward was supposed to miss the USA’s round of 16 clash against Belgium as a result of an automatic one-match ban given to him for his red card. However, after Trump called Infantino, the ban was suspended for a year.

Infantino insisted Trump’s phone call had no bearing on the decision and that an independent disciplinary commission was the one that made the decision. Nevertheless, it invoked fury from the rest of the football world.

Balogun’s presence had little to no effect on the result, as the Belgians comfortably dispatched the hosts 4-1. After Quansah’s ban was extended, Tuchel will need to simply move on from the Bayer Leverkusen man and think of another solution.

Reece James is the ideal player for Tuchel, but the Chelsea captain has not featured since the 0-0 draw with Ghana after being tormented by a frustrating hamstring injury. The England boss may also look to deploy Ezri Konsa at right-back and bring John Stones into central defence alongside Marc Guehi.

There is also Djed Spence, but the Tottenham ace struggled when he started in the difficult 2-1 comeback against DR Congo. Trevoh Chalobah, who was brought into the squad as a replacement for the injured Tino Livramento, may also be another option.