The English Football Association is weighing an appeal to FIFA to suspend Jarell Quansah's one-match ban after his red card against Mexico, allowing him to play in the World Cup quarterfinal against Norway.
Quansah received a straight red card for violent conduct following a VAR review of a dangerous sliding tackle on Mexico's Jesus Gallardo at the Estadio Azteca.
Despite the dismissal, England won 3-2, with Harry Kane scoring a penalty and Jude Bellingham netting a first-half brace.
Precedent Set by Balogun Case
The potential appeal follows FIFA's unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban under Article 27 of its disciplinary code.
Football pundit Wayne Rooney criticized FIFA's handling of Balogun's suspension during a BBC broadcast.
"I just think now with the Fifa setting the precedent on the Balogun situation, with him getting the one-year suspended sentence on his red card, so now what's the reason Quansah shouldn't get that," Rooney said.
Rooney noted that while Balogun remained guilty, the decision opens the door for other nations to question similar punishments.
He expressed disapproval regarding the integrity of tournament management.
"They haven't taken the red card away.
They're saying he's guilty of an offence but now that's the question everyone will be asking when a player gets sent off," Rooney said.
Rooney recalled his own three-game ban before Euro 2012, which required community service in Switzerland to reduce. He labeled the current ruling "an absolute disgrace" that undermines sportsmanship.
"For this to be suspended, they either take the red card away which is probably the right decision and then he can play.
But to suspend it for a year? I think it's an absolute disgrace.
Infantino should be ashamed of this," Rooney said.
He emphasized that the fairness of the competition is severely compromised. "If I'm USA's opponent, I'd be absolutely fuming.
It's wrong in every way," he added.
Rooney Sympathizes with Quansah
Rooney expressed empathy for Quansah's emotional state, drawing parallels to his own dismissal for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho during England's 2006 World Cup quarterfinal against Portugal.
"I've been in the situation he's been in, and it's not an easy situation for him," Rooney said.
He described the isolation of waiting in the dressing room while teammates fight to preserve a victory.
"It is a red card, it's reckless and it's high, so it is, it's a red card - but I feel for him, because knowing what he was going through in that dressing room as the game's going on...
it's such a horrible feeling," Rooney said.
The standard automatic ban remains active as England prepares for their knockout fixture against Norway.
"Unluckily for me, we went out, but hopefully he's got another chance in this World Cup - but yeah, it's not a nice feeling," Rooney said.
The squad managed to withstand late pressure from the tournament co-hosts to advance. "Thankfully his teammates have helped him get through that sticky situation for him," Rooney said.
