Several controversial refereeing decisions have been noted in this World cup, some big enough to change the result of the match and the course of the team in the tournament. You don’t want to read? Watch video instead:
1 Jude Bellingham during England vs Ghana match in the group stages covered his mouth while talking to Jordan Ayew and was not given matching orders by the referee while Miguel Almiron in Paraguay vs Turkey and Pierro Hincapie in Ecuador vs Mexico were given straight red cards for a similar offence.
2 Lionel Messi red card vs Algeria Messi fouls Algeria’s Aissa Mandi with his foot on the back of his calf should have been a red card. The challenge came in the first half in the 30th minute when Algeria were one goal down. Folarin Balogun was given a red card for a similar tackle vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.
3 Croatia goal vs Portugal in the 90+13 minutes. During the round of 32, Man City defender Joško Gvardiol scored an equalizer but was soon ruled out to be offside. VAR review failed to confirm whether Igor Matanovic who was offside touched the ball, but allegedly, ball sensors sensed a touch on Igor’s hair and the goal was cancelled. First time seeing microscopic officiation.
4. Ghana penalty vs England. Ezri Konsa made a nasty challenge in the box against Prince Adu and the referee said play on. The Challenge should have earned Ghana a penalty giving them a chance to win the game and top the group.
5. Jonathan Tah goal vs Paraguay in the Extra time. Bayern Munich defender had given Germany a lead in the extra time but the referee disallowed the goal due to a foul in the build-up. Maybe I am spoilt by the Premier League refereeing but such soft fouls on keepers, goals always count.
What do you comment on this world cup’s officiating?
