BOSTON. The experts were amazed when Ghana not got a penalty against England.
The VAR room is seen from several sides.
– Do we still have WHERE? asks Ghana’s national team captain Carlos Queiroz.
England “only” drew 0-0 against Ghana but it could also have been a loss at the Boston Stadium.
In the closing minutes, Ghana’s Prince Adu broke free and was about to shoot at goal when England full-back Ezri Konsa swooped in from behind to stop Adu.
To the surprise of some, there was no penalty.
Instead, it was offside a few seconds later when Adu, who was on the ground, tried to shoot at goal and hit a teammate in an offside position.
The situation. Photo: PILAR OLIVARES / REUTERS
The national team captain: “Clear penalty”
After the game, Ghana’s captain, Carlos Queiroz, was proud of his players.
But during his explanation about the match, he suddenly says:
– By the way, I think it’s high time to address this: do we still have WHERE? I’m not so sure about that.
Queiroz believes that there is no doubt that the referees made the wrong decision.
– It is a clear punishment that they should give Ghana, he adds.
The experts surprised
In the BBC’s broadcast, even former England international star Wayne Rooney admitted that Ghana should have been awarded a penalty.
– He flies in and hits the player, not the ball, says Rooney.
– Another day it would have been a penalty, says Rooney’s BBC colleague Micah Richards.
They are supported by the Swedish football expert Martin Åslund.
“Why isn’t it a penalty? Konsa doesn’t touch the ball, does he? The World Cup’s strangest refereeing action?”Åslund signs X.
“Bone scissors”
Former World Cup referee Darren Cann states that Ghana should have received a penalty.
– Konsa knocks down his opponent, says Cann in the BBC.
The Swedish referee expert Jonas Eriksson also thundered in SVT’s studio.
– It is 100 percent punishment. It cannot be discussed, he says.
Eriksson is convinced that Ghana would have received a penalty if the players had made a big deal of the situation and protested more against the decision. Then the VAR room would have stepped into the action, prompting the head referee Saíd Martínez to look at his screen.
– It’s a hook up, leg scissors, call it what you want, says Eriksson.
Both Ghana and England have four points after two World Cup matches. In practice, they have secured a place in the round of 16.
