‘Rules are applied the same’: After Donald Trump Balogun hit, UK MP urges FIFA to delay England player’s red card ban

England’s Jarell Quansah (26) leaves the field after receiving a red card in the Round of 16 match between Mexico and England (left); and Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnian Tarik Muharemovic (4). British MP Noah Law has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to lift the suspension of England defender Jarell Quansah, saying he should be allowed to play in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway.Quansah was sent off in the second half of England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca after a sliding tackle on Jesus Gallardo. England were leading 2–1 at the time, with Jude Bellingham scoring both first-half goals.In a letter to Infantino, Law said Quansah deserved the red card, but questioned why England should not be given the same treatment FIFA gave American striker Folarin Balogun.“While I believe it was proper for Jarell Quansah to receive this red card and that the refereeing rules must be applied consistently, I believe it would be proper to delay his suspension until after this World Cup is over,” Noah Law wrote in a letter to Infantino.Law was referring to FIFA’s decision to overturn Balogun’s one-match suspension after the United States striker was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. Balogun received an automatic one-match ban after being shown a red card for a clumsy step on Tarik Muharemovic’s right ankle in the United States’ 2-0 win.US President Donald Trump later asked FIFA to review the decision and allow Balogun to play against Belgium. FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday and made him available for the Round of 16 match.“We know that a similar situation occurred earlier in the competition when American forward Folarin Balogun was red-carded during the 32nd round. The integrity of any major international tournament depends not only on players and officials following the rules, but also on those rules being applied equally to all participating nations. I am sure that we will not be able to justify a situation where one player does not benefit from his deferred statement while another does not benefit from his deferred statement, while another right.FIFA’s stunning decision has angered the host country’s next opponent at the World Cup, Belgium. It also sent soccer fans — and political leaders — around the world into a frenzy over the influence President Donald Trump could have on the extremely rare decision.