The chair of Fifa’s disciplinary committee declined to answer BBC questions about how United States forward Folarin Balogun avoided a suspension after being sent off.
Balogun, 25, received a red card for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina, an offence that typically carries a two-match ban.
Even so, Fifa’s disciplinary panel lifted the suspension — a move widely criticised after it emerged that US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied Fifa over the case.
In contrast, England’s Jarell Quansah was sent off for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo during England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico, and the same committee ruled he must serve a two-game ban.
That offence was deemed serious foul play, resulting in the Bayer Leverkusen player receiving an additional match on top of the standard one-game suspension.
BBC sports editor Dan Roan approached Mohammad al Kamali, the committee’s chair, before England’s quarter-final against Norway on Saturday and asked: – Whether the Fifa president had requested the Balogun ban be lifted – If he could share any details about that decision – Why Jarell Quansah received a two-match suspension – Whether he had any comment on how the issue has been reported – If there was anything at all he could say
Al Kamali did not respond to any of the questions.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has previously denied exerting influence over disciplinary matters, saying Fifa’s judicial bodies are independent and must operate autonomously to protect the sport’s integrity.
Following the Balogun ruling, Fifa issued an 871-word statement asserting the decision was made after considering all specific circumstances and available evidence, without outlining what those factors were.