Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in the USA's last-16 tie against Belgium after FIFA overturned his red card suspension, with England boss Thomas Tuchel calling the decision 'strange' and demanding consistency
12:25, 06 Jul 2026Updated 12:29, 06 Jul 2026
Declan Rice was booked in England's win over Mexico
View Image
Declan Rice was booked in England's win over Mexico
Thomas Tuchel has called for consistency following FIFA's "strange" decision to effectively overturn United States striker Folarin Balogun's red card - with the England boss also slamming the decision to book Declan Rice early on in England's win over Mexico.
Despite receiving his marching orders against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the US forward has been cleared to feature in Monday's last-16 clash against Belgium after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced it would suspend his one-match ban for a year.
The development sent shockwaves throughout the footballing world, with Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia likening the ruling to "April Fool's Day" as the "astonished" Belgian Football Association confirmed it was weighing up its options.
US President Donald Trump thanked FIFA for "reversing a great injustice" — a statement that opened an almighty can of worms on a day that concluded with England edging a 3-2 victory over Mexico, despite VAR's involvement in two pivotal second-half incidents.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Jarell Quansah's dismissal and a Mexico penalty both stemmed from those interventions, with Tuchel stating: "In the game this was not even given a foul, so the referee obviously also thought that it's a hard tackle but it was OK for him to let it play,".
"VAR came, made a decision and then, like always, I just saw the still on the screen. You cannot take decisions on a still in a football match. It's just not possible. And they did it, of course, against us, so Jarell is very upset, of course.
"It is disappointing and the setback today because we were good in the match. For me, not enough for VAR to overturn the decision, like the penalty. But OK, it is what it is."
When it was put to Tuchel that there may be grounds for optimism over Quansah's availability for the quarter-final against Norway, given Balogun's clearance, Tuchel responded: "Where does this start and where does this end now?".
"Can we overturn it or not overturn it? What's going on? 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? It's my question. I don't have an answer."
The fallout from FIFA's ruling looks set to rumble on, with Tuchel among those calling for clarity.
"I think first of all, to be very clear, that it was not a red card," he said of Balogun's dismissal against Bosnia. "But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it were then of the opinion that it was a red card, so the decision is made.
"Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It's just strange for me. We just want to have consistency in the decisions.
"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?".
Article continues below
"Does France get the yellow card back for (Michael) Olise which was not a yellow card? Where does this end? Where does it stop? I don't know the rules. I am the wrong person to ask. I will wait and see what's coming."
Sign up for Arsenal news direct to your email inbox
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face a crucial summer transfer window if they want to reclaim the Premier League title and you can stay up to date with every breaking news story, opinion and more...
By signing up to our newsletter here, you'll make sure you receive the best Gunners content including news, rumours, articles and fan opinions - direct into your inbox and all for free!
We also want to hear from you. Create an account here in just a few moments, so you can have your say on all things Arsenal, join the debate and take part in exclusive Q&As as well.