VAR to go for whingers

THE news that two more people have been poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok was a timely reminder that AngloRussian relations remain on a less than cordial level.

That English visitors to the World Cup are being treated so well should not render concerns over the Russian regime irrelevant.

It just shows that, in every part of the world, there are more decent people than not. THE International Football Association Board, the body that determines the laws of the game, are trumpeting the fact that there have only been three red cards in the tournament.

“Better player behaviour,” they posted on their Twitter account, suggesting VAR was the catalyst for this. Maybe. Or perhaps it is because referees at this World Cup are showing a remarkable lenience towards whingeing, abusive players (left). Their harassment of officials has been the only blight on a great tournament. THE demographic of the two millionplus who participate in the BBC’s online player-rater is not clear.

What is clear is that the majority have it in for Raheem Sterling.

In all three of his appearances at this World Cup, the Manchester City star has been ranked as England’s worst player.

Against Tunisia, he was given an average mark of 4.1, against Panama 5.3 and against Colombia – a game in which I had him down as one of England’s best players – he got a 4.5.

Sterling says he has a thick skin.

He needs it.