VAR has made World Cup crazy, says Portugal’s Fonte

PORTUGAL defender Jose Fonte has slammed the VAR system as “unacceptable” after Iran were awarded a late penalty in last night’s 1-1 draw to deny his side top spot in Group B.

Deep into stoppage time in the Mordovia Arena, Portugal were on course to win the group at Spain’s expense, with their rivals trailing to Morocco in Kaliningrad.

But as Iago Aspas scored a late, VAR-assisted penalty to earn Spain a point, Iran won a spot-kick of their own, demoting Portugal to runners-up. They will face

Uruguay in the last 16, while Spain face an easier clash with hosts Russia.

Southampton full-back

Cedric Soares, who gave away the late penalty, had to be separated from the referee at full time, although Iran were also left fuming after Cristiano Ronaldo escaped with just a yellow card after a VAR-reviewed elbow late on.

The Portugal captain had earlier won — and missed — a penalty.

“This World Cup is just crazy!” Fonte said. “We are not happy with the situation, the constant stopping of the game, the controversy all the time.

“We had an opportunity to make it 2-0, close the game out and we did not manage to score. Ronaldo scores for us so many times, so it is no problem — he is allowed an off day. He will get one in the next game.

“To end the game like that is just not fair. This VAR system is not my thing. Cedric is furious.

“In our opinion, he is not even looking at the ball. It is impossible to not have your arms raised in that position. How can you jump with both arms next to your body? It is impossible. The ball did not even change trajectory.

“In the end, we could have almost lost the game — VAR is unacceptable.”

Me a n w h i l e , P o r t u g a l ’s R i c a r d o Quaresma has hit back at Carlos Queiroz after the Iran coach, who used to manage Portugal, said Ronaldo should have been sent off for his late challenge. Quaresma, who gave Portugal the lead with a sensational strike, accused Queiroz of lacking patriotism as the coach reignited his feud with Ronaldo, which dates back to their last-16 exit to Spain in South Africa eight years ago.

“I will not respond to Queiroz, otherwise we will stay here all night,” said the Portugal scorer. “Iran’s players did not irritate me. I was more irritated by the coach. As a Portuguese man, he had to respect the Portuguese more, but that’s a conversation for other days.”

Joao Moutinho also defended the decision to book Ronaldo rather than send him off, saying: “Cristiano tried to put his arm in front to get the ball and the Iranian made a little act.”