England frustrated by Quansah's two-game ban ahead of Norway quarter-final, says Saka

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 9 : England's Bukayo Saka said the squad were "incredibly frustrated" after learning Jarell Quansah had been handed a two-match suspension, ruling him out of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway and a potential semi-final.

Quansah was shown a red card after a video review determined he had made a sliding studs-up tackle during England's last-16 win over Mexico, and FIFA imposed a two-match ban, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel short of defensive options for the latter stages of the tournament.

"I just found out that it's a two-match ban, which is incredibly frustrating for us and for him," Saka told reporters on Thursday.

"But it's the way it is. We're not here to complain, we just need to adapt and pick a team that's ready to beat Norway."

England had been weighing a possible appeal after FIFA overturned a one-match suspension imposed on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun earlier in the tournament.

However, FIFA rules dictated that England were not permitted to appeal, an FA spokesperson said.

Asked how Quansah's case differed from Balogun's and whether he and his teammates felt the decision was unfair, Saka declined to comment.

"I don't really know what to say. I have no comment on that. It was FIFA's decision," the winger said. "This decision for us, focusing on ourselves, is frustrating. But we have to adapt and deal with it."

The suspension compounded England's defensive concerns, with injuries already limiting Tuchel's options at the back.

O'REILLY ON A YELLOW CARD

Defender Nico O'Reilly, one booking away from a suspension, said Quansah's absence was a blow but that the team would move on quickly.

"Yeah, of course, it's sad," O'Reilly said. "It can't get appealed or anything, so we've just got