One man, two controversies: The VAR thread linking Balogun, Quansah

The same VAR official who recommended the review that led to Folarin Balogun's now-overturned red card for the United States was again at the centre of controversy, this time triggering the review that resulted in Jarell Quansah's dismissal during England's dramatic 3-2 World Cup last-16 victory over Mexico on Sunday (July 6).

Juan Soto Arevalo, working as assistant VAR for the England-Mexico tie, sent referee Alireza Faghani to the pitchside monitor after Quansah's high, over-the-ball challenge on Mexico left-back Jesus Gallardo in the 54th minute. Faghani upgraded an initial yellow card to a red after the review.

Soto Arevalo was the same official credited with initiating the review process in the USA-Bosnia game that resulted in Balogun's red card — a decision The Athletic reported was controversially overturned on Saturday, clearing the Monaco striker to play in the United States' game against Norway at Lumen Field in Seattle on Monday.

Unlike Balogun, Quansah is expected to serve an automatic suspension, ruling him out of England's quarter-final against Norway in Miami on July 11, following their 2-0 win over Brazil earlier Sunday.

Football refereeing expert Graham Scott said Quansah's dismissal was among the more clear-cut decisions of a chaotic passage of play, noting the England defender made significant contact high on his opponent's shin with any contact on the ball incidental to the force of the challenge.

Neither FIFA nor Soto Arevalo has commented specifically on his involvement in the two separate reviews. This report is based on match officiating details reported by The Athletic; independent confirmation of Soto Arevalo's full match assignment history at this World Cup was not immediately available.