FIFA CHIEFS LAUNCH PROBE INTO VAR AFTER KANE PENALTY
FIFA are investigating the failure of video technology after Harry Kane’s World Cup penalty farce.
Kane was denied what looked like two clear penalty decisions in their 2-1 victory over Tunisia after twice being wrestled to the ground by Ferjani Sassi.
Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan took no action and the four VAR officials also failed to intervene to leave England fuming. That comes on top of Brazil also complaining to FIFA after claiming they were denied two key decisions in their draw with Switzerland.
It has left VAR in danger of becoming a farce and now the Football Association are watching with interest to see what action the world governing body will take.
FA technical director Dan Ashworth has already done a debrief on the game and England believe they were wronged on both decisions, but will not take action of their own until it is known whether FIFA will intervene.
FIFA are likely to hold their own referees’ meeting in the next week and then go on to explain publicly the decisions after introducing VAR at the tournament.
It is being used in the World Cup for the first time and, according to FIFA, should only “correct clear and obvious errors and missed incidents in clearly defined match-changing decisions”.
Premier League chiefs decided two months ago to postpone the introduction of VAR for another year after the experiment in the domestic cups was deemed not good enough last season.
England defender Kyle Walker, who conceded a controversial penalty himself, claims that England players have been left confused over VAR.
Walker said: “We’ve had a briefing, but what’s correct and what’s not? When do you ask for it? You don’t want to crowd the referee and say