Quansah red card: why was England defender sent off against Mexico?

Jarell Quansah became only the fourth England player to be sent off at a World Cup after referee Alireza Faghani issued a red card following a VAR review during the Three Lions’ clash with Mexico.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender, deployed at right-back, had been playing an assured game before he was dismissed shortly after half-time with England leading 2-1. His tackle on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo triggered furious protests from the home bench, sparking a brief scuffle between the two touchlines.

VAR intervention leads to red card

Quansah appeared, at first sight, to have won the ball cleanly and firmly in the challenge. However, the strength of Mexico’s reaction prompted VAR to step in, with officials advising Faghani to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.

After a brief look, the Iranian official reversed his initial decision and produced a straight red card, ruling the challenge dangerous despite Quansah making contact with the ball first.

Former assistant referee Darren Cann, speaking to BBC Sport, backed the decision without hesitation. “It is a clear red card. Quansah does play the ball first but that doesn’t matter in the laws of the game,” he said.

“He goes through and you can clearly see the studs on the shin. The referee has no choice but to show the red card. 100 per cent a red card,” Cann added.

Shearer agrees with dismissal

Alan Shearer, working as co-commentator, echoed that assessment. “I know Quansah gets the ball but the foot is high. He’s taken the ball with his left knee but he catches the player high with his leading right,” he said.

“It’s a nasty, nasty challenge,” Shearer added, leaving little doubt among pundits that Faghani had made the correct call after the VAR review.

England join select group of unwanted history

Quansah’s dismissal means he joins Ray Wilkins, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney as England players to have been sent off at a World Cup, a quartet no Three Lions defender or forward would wish to be associated with.

England were forced to see out the remainder of the second half a man light against Mexico, with the scoreline standing at 2-1 in the Three Lions’ favour at the time of the red card.

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