Can you rely on VAR? 5 incidents from the World Cup which suggest no
Authored By Wion Web Desk
Published: Jun 26, 2018, 19:38 IST | Updated: Jun 26, 2018, 19:38 IST
The Video Assistant Referee was designed to erase all controversy from the World Cup... but it has often had the exact opposite effect.
1 / 5
Harry Kane - England
The clash between England and Tunisia on June 18 became a matter of concern when England were denied penalty twice in their openeing game. England's captain Harry Kane should have been awarded a penalty in each half during the match.
However, Kane scored two goals to give England a 2-1 victory by scoring the winner in the extra time.
Kane should have been awarded a penalty in each half during the match against Tunisia.
However, Kane scored two goals to give England a 2-1 victory by scoring the winner in the extra time.
Kane should have been awarded a penalty in each half during the match against Tunisia.
2 / 5
Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Iran faced Portugal in the final round of Group match on June 25. Both the teams had a chance to enter the Last 16 but it was Cristiano-led Portugal which got through.
The match was full of controversies as both the teams were desperate to earn three points.
But a decision rocked the Iranians as Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in the 81st minute when an off-the-ball tussle with Morteza Pouraliganji who suddenly collapsed to the ground, prompting excited protests from Iranian players.
Television replays suggested that Ronaldo struck Pouraliganji with his elbow, a clear red card offence, and when the referee decided to review the incident on his pitchside monitor, it looked like curtains for Portugal's captain.
The referee returned to the pitch, went for his pocket - but pulled out a yellow, rather than red, card.
Iran's coach Carlos Queiroz was not happy on the decision and said that Ronaldo received special treatment: "In the rules, an elbow is a red card. It doesn't matter if it's Messi or Ronaldo. It's a red card."
The match was full of controversies as both the teams were desperate to earn three points.
But a decision rocked the Iranians as Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in the 81st minute when an off-the-ball tussle with Morteza Pouraliganji who suddenly collapsed to the ground, prompting excited protests from Iranian players.
Television replays suggested that Ronaldo struck Pouraliganji with his elbow, a clear red card offence, and when the referee decided to review the incident on his pitchside monitor, it looked like curtains for Portugal's captain.
The referee returned to the pitch, went for his pocket - but pulled out a yellow, rather than red, card.
Iran's coach Carlos Queiroz was not happy on the decision and said that Ronaldo received special treatment: "In the rules, an elbow is a red card. It doesn't matter if it's Messi or Ronaldo. It's a red card."
3 / 5
Cedric Soares - Portugal
Portugal were held by Iran 1-1 in a do or die encounter on June 25 at Mordovia Arena, Saransk.
The action-packed match saw two wrong VAR decisions, the first was, when Iran got the penalty for a handball by Cedric Soares when he tried to stop the ball headed by Iran's Sardar Azmoun.
The decision was criticised as Soares was barely a yard away from Azmoun and his arm wasn't in a raised position, nor did he deliberately move his arm towards the ball.
The action-packed match saw two wrong VAR decisions, the first was, when Iran got the penalty for a handball by Cedric Soares when he tried to stop the ball headed by Iran's Sardar Azmoun.
The decision was criticised as Soares was barely a yard away from Azmoun and his arm wasn't in a raised position, nor did he deliberately move his arm towards the ball.
4 / 5
Jerome Boateng - Germany
Sweden were denied of a penalty in a crucial encounter against the defending champions Germany on June 23.
Sweden's Marcus Berg was deliberately fouled by German defender Jerome Boateng but the incident was neglected by the field referee and it was not revied by VAR.
The decision could have changed the scenario of the Group F.
Sweden's Marcus Berg was deliberately fouled by German defender Jerome Boateng but the incident was neglected by the field referee and it was not revied by VAR.
The decision could have changed the scenario of the Group F.
5 / 5
Cristian Pavon - Argentina
Cristian Pavon of Argentina was denied a penalty in the first Group match against Iceland on June 16.
Argentina were being held 1-1 by Iceland in their opening World Cup match and then in the concluding minutes Cristian Pavon appeared to be fouled inside the box by Birkir Saevarsson but there was no VAR intervention and the final score was 1-1.
Argentina were being held 1-1 by Iceland in their opening World Cup match and then in the concluding minutes Cristian Pavon appeared to be fouled inside the box by Birkir Saevarsson but there was no VAR intervention and the final score was 1-1.
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