Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said that the VAR “was on vacation” and “went for coffee” after two key incidents went against his team in the second half of their 0-0 draw with England.
First, Jordan Pickford was not sent off after a collision with Prince Adu just outside the England penalty area after 66 minutes. Queiroz said in his post-match news conference that it was a “clear shock” and that Pickford “should have been sent off, there is no doubt about that.”
Then, with just 12 minutes left, Ezri Konsa made a last-gasp tackle again on Adu, who was through on goal. Konsa clearly brought down Adu, without cleanly taking the ball. Queiroz said it was a “clear penalty and red card” — although as Konsa attempted to win the ball, a red card would have been unlikely.
Former England international Wayne Rooney also said on the BBC afterwards he believed this was a “penalty,” and that Konsa took a “huge risk” as he “gets the man, not the ball.”
Queiroz tried to make light of the situation afterwards with a series of jokes about the decision-making.
“Is VAR still working in the World Cup?” he joked. “Do we still have VAR? I have doubts about that.” He returned to the same theme afterwards, saying: “The VAR referee was on vacation second half, apparently.”
Read more, along with analysis from former Premier League referee Graham Scott.
