England coach not VAR fan

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate believes a lack of clarity over the video assistant referee (VAR) system could blight this year’s World Cup.

Southgate’s side were denied another impressive World Cup warmup friendly result as Lorenzo Insigne’s penalty three minutes from time salvaged a 1-1 draw for Italy at Wembley on Tuesday.

However, the visitors were only awarded a spot-kick after German referee Deniz Aytekin used VAR to overturn his initial decision not to give a penalty after substitute Federico Chiesa tumbled under the challenge of James Tarkowski.

“I’m glad it’s not the World Cup just yet,” Southgate said. “I think the ruling is ‘clear and obvious’ and it’s not. It’s one you can debate all day.”

Southgate said he was against the use of technology, as in England’s Premier League, despite the huge financial considerations of wrong decisions.

“I prefer referee’s decision is final. It’s sport and we shouldn’t be talking abut how much money it’s cost or lost,” he said.

England were on course to back up their 1-0 win over the Netherlands on Friday and draws against World Cup favourites Germany and Brazil in November thanks to Jamie Vardy’s 26th-minute opener. “Generally I’m really pleased,” Southgate said. “We’ve played four of the biggest countries in the world and been competitive in every one.”

Insigne’s equaliser was the first goal England have conceded in six games.

England have had to cope without talismanic striker Harry Kane through injury for all of their last four friendlies. – AFP