England supporters were left relieved but uneasy after their side were held to a goalless draw against Ghana in their World Cup clash on Tuesday.
The match produced little in the way of goals, but a late flashpoint threatened to dramatically alter the outcome of the game.
The controversial incident saw Prince Adu charge into the penalty area before Ezri Konsa came across and appeared to bring the Ghanaian midfielder down.
No penalty was awarded by the referee, providing significant relief to England fans watching on as replays showed Konsa had caught Adu on the knee without making contact with the ball.
BBC pundits analysing the incident were largely in agreement that both Konsa and England had been fortunate to escape without punishment from the referee.
Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was among those who felt a spot-kick should have been given, saying on BBC One: “I think that’s a penalty.”
Rooney elaborated further, adding: “Konsa takes a huge risk. His feet are off the floor when he comes flying in and he gets the man, not the ball. That could easily have been given in my view.”
Former England international and ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards echoed those sentiments, stating: “England were chasing the game, they were trying to score the goal but you still need that protection behind you. On another day, that could have been a penalty.”
The failure of VAR to intervene in the incident drew considerable attention, with questions raised about why the technology was not used to review what many felt was a clear foul.
Fifa’s head of referees Pierluigi Collina has set a higher threshold for challenges at this World Cup, with the principle being that if more tackles are allowed to go unpunished on the field, there should be fewer VAR interventions to maintain consistency.
That approach to officiating at the tournament appears to explain why no VAR review of the Konsa challenge was initiated during the game.
Darren Cann, who served as assistant referee in the 2010 World Cup final, was unequivocal in his assessment that the wrong call had been made by the officials.
Cann said on BBC One: “As an England fan I am delighted that it wasn’t given. But I have to be honest, for me this should have been referred.”
He continued: “Konsa makes absolutely no contact at all with the ball, he brings down his opponent. He is airborne, he is out of control, he makes contact with the attacker. For me this was a penalty kick.”
The incident is likely to spark ongoing debate around VAR usage at this World Cup, with the Collina-led philosophy representing a notable departure from what fans are accustomed to seeing in the Premier League.
