Wojciech Szczesny’s palm into Lionel Messi’s face resulted in a penalty in Doha (Picture: Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer were fuming with the decision to give Argentina a penalty against Poland for a foul on Lionel Messi, slamming VAR for its part in the officiating.
During the first half of the clash in Qatar, Messi rose to head a cross, with Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny coming out to punch the ball.
Messi headed the ball and immediately after, the Pole’s palm touched his face, which was eventually awarded as a penalty by referee Danny Makkelie after a long check of VAR.
It all proved to be largely pointless as the former Arsenal stopper saved the spot-kick from Messi, but Ferdinand and Shearer were not happy at all that the penalty was given.
‘Disgraceful decision, disgraceful, this isn’t what VAR is here for,’ Ferdinand said on the BBC coverage.
‘He’s flicked his eyelash for starters, that’s an outrageous decision that’s been made.’
Clearly contact was made but few agreed with the penalty decision (Picture: Getty Images)
Shearer added: ‘Never ever a penalty, can you remember they brought VAR in and said it was for clear and obvious and they wouldn’t re-referee games, that’s never a pen.
‘Four guys here who all think the same. Ridiculous.’
They weren’t alone with their anger over the decision, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher tweeting: ”That is a joke, that is never a penalty! Embarrassing VAR.’
Chris Sutton added on the BBC: ‘He does catch him slightly but come on! That’s a terrible decision.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
World Cup 2022: your FAQs answered
‘This isn’t what VAR is here for!’
