Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz said his side were denied a “clear penalty” and a “red card” against England and joked that the VAR was “on holiday” and must have “gone for a coffee” to have missed both incidents.
Queiroz said England were “very lucky” that both incidents went their way after Jordan Pickford avoided a red card after colliding with forward Prince Abu outside the box and defender Ezri Konsa later brought Abu tumbling inside the area.
“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working?” Queiroz asked after the 0-0 draw in Boston.
“I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England [was missed]. We had our chances to the point that they’re lucky. They’re very lucky.”
Incident 1: Jordan Pickford on Prince Adu
In a game that lacked forward inspiration for either team, Ghana looked to break on the counter in the 67th minute as substitute Prince Adu surged towards the box, chasing a forward ball.
Pickford rushed out of his area in a bid to get there first but instead collided with Adu as there pair went in for a 50/50 challenge.
While both men had the right to challenge for the ball, it looked like Pickford had committed the foul, clattering into Adu after the Ghana midfielder made an attempt to touch the ball, which had by the point of contact ran just past Pickford.
But in a huge reprieve for England, referee Saíd Martínez of Honduras awarded the free-kick in favour of Pickford, who picked up a knock on the shin in the process.
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz was furious at the decision, something Alan Shearer could more than sympathise with.
“I agree with him. I didn’t think that was an England free-kick at all, I think it could have been given the other way,” he said on BBC’s coverage of the match.
“He realises he’s in trouble does Jordan Pickford. He knows he’s not going to get to the ball.”
Queiroz said it was a “shock” and Pickford “should have been sent off”
Incident 2: Ezri Konsa on Prince Adu
England then got away with one again shortly after.
With Adu sent in behind once more after Eberechi Eze was shoulder-barged off the ball, Ezri Konsa made a last-ditch lunging challenge to thwart the Viktoria Plzen player but got none of the ball, wrapping his leg around and making contact with Adu’s knee, who then went down.
After a scramble to clear the ball ended in the offside flag going up, there was no sign of a VAR check taking place to review the incident and play resumed shortly after with an England free-kick.
BBC’s referee analyst Darren Cann asserted that the challenge should have been referred to VAR to award a spot-kick.
“ We had our hearts in our mouths when we saw Ezri Konsa made that challenge,” Cann said. “First and foremost, as an England fan, I’m absolutely delighted that it wasn’t given, but I have to be honest. For me, this should have been referred to the referee.
“Konsa makes no contact at all with the ball. He brings down his opponent. He’s airborne, he’s out of control, he makes contact with the attacker and no contact with the ball. For me, this is a penalty kick.
“We’ve had seven penalties in this World Cup so far. I’m very glad that wasn’t an eighth.
Cann added that referees have often stuck with the on-field decision during this tournament so far, unless that decision is “clearly, clearly wrong”.
Queiroz was once again aggrieved, saying Ghana had been denied a “clear penalty and red card”. As Konsa attempted to win the ball, a red card would have been unlikely.
“Once again, VAR went for a coffee. It’s natural, I would like to also take my coffees once in a while, but it was a clear penalty, red card,” he said.
“You have any doubts about that? You guys who saw the game have any doubts about that or is it only me that was in the game?
“At the end of the day, that’s why I say it was a fair result. They play more time with the ball, we fight more, we fight better, we create our chances, they have chances at the end.
“I think they are happy and I am happy also with the draw. I’m sorry for my sarcasm, but if I say these kind of things seriously they punish me, so I hope you understand that I’m joking.”
England were unable to capitalise on these let-offs by finding a late winner, with the best chance falling to Harry Kane after Nico O’Reilly’s header hit the bar, the England captaining skying the rebound from close range.
The contest ended in a goalless draw, meaning England have not yet confirmed their place in the knockouts heading into their final Group L against Panama on Saturday 27 July.
