Fifa official refuses to answer BBC's ban questions

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Fifa disciplinary chairman refuses to answer questions

The head of Fifa's disciplinary committee has refused to answer BBC questions about the decision-making process which led to England's Jarell Quansah being banned for two World Cup games.

Defender Quansah was sent off in England's 3-2 win over Mexico following a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo.

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.

But the same committee waived a ban for United States forward Folarin Balogun, who was sent off for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina. He should also have received a ban for two games.

That decision prompted widespread condemnation - particularly when it emerged US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied Fifa about the American's ban.

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:

Can we ask about the Balogun suspension and whether or not you were asked by the Fifa president to suspend that ban?

Can you tell us anything about that at all?

Can you tell us anything about that at all or why Jarell Quansah was given a two-match suspension?

Can you make any comment about the way it's been portrayed or reported on?

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.