The Football Association is weighing up whether to appeal against the red card shown to England centre-back Jarell Quansah during Sunday's 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico.

Quansah was dismissed in the 54th minute for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, leaving England to complete the win with ten men. The dismissal has thrust the FA into a difficult decision — one made more complicated by a landmark ruling earlier in the tournament.

Balogun precedent fuels appeal hopes

The context surrounding the FA's deliberations is impossible to ignore. United States striker Folarin Balogun had his red card overturned after US President Donald Trump personally asked FIFA to review the decision. Balogun had been sent off for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the last 32, earning an automatic one-match ban.

FIFA's subsequent decision to suspend that ban for 12 months — allowing the 25-year-old to feature in the last-16 clash against Belgium — drew fierce criticism across the sport. England manager Thomas Tuchel was among those to publicly condemn the ruling, alongside Belgium and UEFA.

The Athletic has reported that France are also challenging Michael Olise's yellow card from their win over Paraguay, signalling that the Balogun case may open the floodgates for a wave of appeals. BBC Sport has approached the French Football Federation for comment.

England's right-back crisis

Quansah's red card compounds what has already been a pressing headache for Tuchel at right-back. First-choice defender Reece James has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during the second group-stage match against Ghana, ruling him out against Panama, DR Congo, and Mexico.

In his absence, Tuchel has turned to Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Quansah, and even midfielder Declan Rice to fill the position on the right side of defence. Quansah himself picked up an injury against Panama but recovered in time to start against Mexico — only to be shown a red card.

England face Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday, with the availability of their right-sided options remaining a critical concern heading into the match.