The head of Fifa’s disciplinary committee has refused to answer BBC questions about the decision-making process which led to United States striker Folarin Balogun avoiding a ban after being sent off.
Balogun, 25, was dismissed for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina. He should have received a ban for two games.
However Fifa’s disciplinary committee waived a ban – a decision that prompted widespread condemnation, particularly when it emerged US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied Fifa about the American’s sanction.
England’s Jarell Quansah was similarly shown a red card in England’s 3-2 win over Mexico following a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo and the same committee ruled he should serve a two-match ban.
It was classed as serious foul play, meaning the Bayer Leverkusen player was handed an extra match on top of the automatic one-game suspension by Fifa.
BBC sports editor Dan Roan confronted Mohammad al Kamali, the chair of Fifa’s disciplinary committee, as he arrived for England’s quarter-final against Norway on Saturday. He asked:
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Can we ask about the Balogun suspension and whether or not you were asked by the Fifa president to suspend that ban?
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Can you tell us anything about that at all?
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Can you tell us anything about that at all or why Jarell Quansah was given a two-match suspension?
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Can you make any comment about the way it’s been portrayed or reported on?
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Anything at all you can say, sir?
However, Al Kamali would not answer any of the questions.
Fifa released an 871-word statement following the Balogun decision to stress it was made after “considering all of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident and evidence available” – but without detailing what had been taken into account.