England Football Online
Contact Us Page Last Updated 26 March 2024
 
     
England Dismissals Opposition Dismissals Team Discipline VAR

 
No. Date Opponent Venue Type Details

968
13 June 2017 - 2-3 vs. France
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Fr The VAR was called into action in the 47th minute, when the referee, Davide Massa, used it to send off Raphaël Varane, after he clipped Dele Alli as he ran into the penalty area. The resulting penalty was scored by Harry Kane.
973 10 November 2017 - 0-0 vs. Germany
The National Stadium, Wembley
Fr NO INCIDENTS
974 14 November 2017 - 0-0 vs. Brazil
The National Stadium, Wembley
Fr NO INCIDENTS

976
27 March 2018 - 1-1 vs. Italy
The National Stadium, Wembley
Fr The VAR was called into action when the referee, Deniz Aytekin, called back play after 86 minutes when Tarkowski accidentally trod on Chiesa's ankle. Aytekin then awarded a penalty kick from which Insigne scored.
979 18 June 2018 - 2-1 vs. Tunisia
Volgograd Arena, Volgograd

WCF
The VAR was called into to check every decision. It raised no issue with Walker's foul on Ben Youssef. Nor did it see no issue on two blatant fouls on Harry Kane.
980 24 June 2018 - 6-1 vs. Panama
Stadion Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod
Again, the VAR was called into to check every decision, although none was used directly in any decision.
981 28 June 2018 - 0-1 vs. Belgium
Stadion Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE
982 3 July 2018 - 1-1 vs. Colombia
Otkritie Arena, Moskva
The VAR was assumed to be used in every decision, yet it raised no issue with the blatant fouling, the violent conduct, or the blatant cheating that was occurring during this match.
983 7 July 2018 - 2-0 vs. Sweden
Cosmos Arena, Samara
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE
984 11 July 2018 - 1-2 vs. Croatia
Luzhniki Stadium, Moskva
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE
985 14 July 2018 - 0-2 vs. Belgium
Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE

994
6 June 2019 - 3-1 vs. Netherlands
Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques, Guimarães

NLF
The VAR was called into action to cover two major incidents. Firstly, Lingard thought he had scored a winner (82:29), but was adjudged to have been offside by an inch (84:33). Moments later, claims were made against Chilwell that he had handled the ball (85:19). It was rightly decided (86:40) that it had in fact, struck his back.

995
9 June 2019 - 0-0 vs. Switzerland
Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques, Guimarães
The VAR was called to decide on two major incidents again. Sterling went for an Alexander-Arnold cross and was possibly held back by Kevin Mbabu (73:18). The penalty kick was not awarded (73:41). Then, for the second match in a row, England had a goal struck off. This time, Callum Wilson scored the goal (83:18), only to be pulled back because he himself had committed a foul in the build-up (83:12). The goal was eventually unawarded (84:59).
1015 13 June 2021 - 1-0 vs. Croatia
The National Stadium, Wembley

ECF
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE
1016 18 June 2021 - 0-0 vs. Scotland
The National Stadium, Wembley
The VAR was presumably called into to check every decision. It raised no issue with Andy Robertson's trip on Raheem Sterling in the 79th minute.

1017
22 June 2021 - 1-0 vs. Czech Republic
National Stadium, Wembley
The VAR was again, presumably called into to check every decision. It raised no issue with Jan Bořil's foul on Harry Maguire in the penalty area in the 68th minute, but was brought into action when Jordan Henderson's disallowed goal (85:26) was checked to decide whether the ball was passed to him by Jude Bellingham, or a backpass from Jan Bořil. VAR did not overturn the original, albeit delayed, offside decision.
1018 29 June 2021 - 2-0 vs. Germany
National Stadium, Wembley
The first official use of VAR for England in the tournament was an offside check, in the 86th minute to make sure Harry Kane's header was correctly adjudged to be onside.
1019 3 July 2021 - 4-0 vs. Ukraine
Stadio Olimpico, Roma
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE

1020
7 July 2021 - 2-1 vs. Denmark
National Stadium, Wembley
VAR performed a penalty check, which occurred as a result of Harry Kane going down (73:20) from a challenge by Christian Nørgaard. It took another thirty-forty seconds before VAR was confirmed, and another thirty seconds to confirm that referee Danny Makkelie's original decision stands, a free-kick against Harry Kane.
The second official use went in favour of England, Makkelie pointed to the spot (101:47) after Raheem Sterling was bundled down to the floor. VAR took 65 seconds to not see 'a clear and obvious error' in the referee's decision.
1021 11 July 2021 - 1-1 vs. Italy
National Stadium, Wembley
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE

1022
2 September 2021 - 4-0 vs. Hungary
Puskás Aréna, Budapest

WCP
VAR performed a penalty check after Raheem Sterling tumbled down on the goal line (61:32) under a challenge from Willi Orbán. The referee ordered a goalkick and the thirty second check did not altar any decision.
VAR then performed a foul check following Harry Maguire's goal, to make sure he did not use his arms on Attila Szalai (68:13). The check was complete almost as quickly as it began.

1023
5 September 2021 - 5-0 vs. Andorra
National Stadium, Wembley
VAR performed a penalty check after Mason Mount went down in the six yard box following a challenge from Christian García. The referee awarded a penalty kick and the check did not altar any decision.
1024 8 September 2021 - 1-1 vs. Poland
Stadion PGE Narodowy, Warszawa
The VAR was assumed to be used in every decision, yet it raised no issue with the blatant fouling, the violent conduct, or the blatant cheating that was occurring during this match.

1025
9 October 2021 - 5-0 vs. Andorra
Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella
For the first time, VAR favoured England in gaining a goal. Ben Chilwell's strike (16:32) was immediately ruled out for offside. However, nine seconds later, a goal check was confirmed, and a whole one minute and 53 seconds after the ball struck the back of the net, the offside decision was overturned and a goal awarded.
In the second half, Tammy Abraham's goal (58:05) was checked for offside whilst substitutions were made, he was not offside and the goal stood (59:27).
When Jack Grealish went down (76:54) under a Jesus Rúbio challenge, a penalty kick was immediately awarded, and VAR took a minute to substantiate the decision.

1026
12 October 2021 - 1-1 vs. Hungary
National Stadium, Wembley
VAR was called in action, not to decide whether Luke Shaw had committed a foul with a dangerously high foot (21:52), but the position of the foul. Ultimately deciding it was within the penalty area.
1027 12 November 2021 - 5-0 vs. Albania
National Stadium, Wembley
VAR was used to check to clarify Harry Kane's position when Jordan Henderson scored his goal, the extensive check was over (28:50) and the goal was allowed to stand.

1028
15 November 2021 - 10-0 vs. San Marino
San Marino Stadium, Serravalle
The first use of VAR in the evening came from a subtle handball from Dante Rossi (22:58), who was appealing at the time, his hand in the air, as Phil Foden's volley went wide brushing the finger of Rossi. The referee, Rade Obrenović, viewed the monitor (24:25 to 25:02) and awarded the penalty kick (25:05) and a yellow card (25:33).

VAR was then called in to check the legitimacy of Jude Bellingham's first goal for England (70:31). The referee viewed the monitor (71:43 to 72:05). His goal was struck off (72:10) after it was ruled that Tammy Abraham fouled Lorenzo Lunadei (70:23) in the build up.

1029
26 March 2022 - 2-1 vs. Switzerland
The National Stadium, Wembley

Fr
The VAR was called into action twice, both in regards to the two of the goals. When Breen Embolo headed in Xherdan Shaqiri's cross (21:39), Silvan Widmar was offside in the first build-up of play, but this was not considered to be in effect and the goal was awarded (23:13).
The second use was in awarding England a penalty-kick. Marc Guehi's headed Jack Grealish's corner onto Steven Zuber's hand, who was facing the goal (74:57). The players appealed and play was eventually stopped when Henderson's shot blazed over the bar (74:59). WIth no resumption of play, the Referee, Andreas Ekberg, was then eventually told to consult the monitor (76:15), he did so (76:28) for twelve seconds, awarding the penalty kick (76:46).

1030
29 March 2022 - 3-0 vs. Côte d'Ivoire
The National Stadium, Wembley
Again, VAR was called into action twice. Following Raheem Sterling's goal (44:24), their was a check as to whether an offside had occurred. It had not, and the goal was awarded (45th+1:17).
Shortly after the second half began, 41 year-old Fousseny Coulibaly appeared to bring down Jude Bellingham (45:46) and referee Erik Lambrechts ordered a penalty kick (45:50). VAR checked and requested that the referee look at the monitor (47:00). He did so (47:17 for thirteen seconds) and concluded that Coulibably got the ball first. Award for the kick is overturned. The first time that the Video Assistant Referee overturned an England penalty kick award.
1031 4 June 2022 - 0-1 vs. Hungary
Puskás Aréna, Budapest

NLP
VAR was used to check that the referee's decision regarding the award of the 66th minute penalty kick (63:44 to 64:46).

1032
7 June 2022 - 1-1 vs. Germany
Allianz Arena, München
VAR was used twice to check the referee's decisions. Jonas Hofmann felt he scored a legitimate goal (22:11) which was disallowed for being offside. VAR took almost two minutes (22:16 to 24:02) to agree with the referee's correct decision.
Harry Kane was then fouled (84:20) and play continued until the ball went out of play (84:33) to allow VAR to check. He was asked to check the monitor (84:57), which he did (85:20 to 85:46). Carlos Del Cerro Grande then awarded a penalty kick (85:49)
1033 11 June 2022 - 0-0 vs. Italy
Molineux, Wolverhampton
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE
1034 14 June 2022 - 0-4 vs. Hungary
Molineux, Wolverhampton
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE, however, according to the UEFA website, VAR was used to check the Hungarian goals

1035
23 September 2022 - 0-1 vs. Italy
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milano
The only known use of VAR in this match occurred in the 61st min. (60:12) when Jude Bellingham was sent flying by Nicolò Barella as he headed the ball back into the penalty area. Any penalty claim was soon dismissed (61:14).

1036
26 September 2022 - 3-3 vs. Germany
The National Stadium, Wembley
In this match, VAR was integral in deciding two of the goals. Firstly, after a poor Maguire pass (49:21) led to him fouling Jamel Musiala five yards inside the penalty area. Referee Danny Makkelie in fact waved Musiala back to his feet. It was almost a minute later (50:08) when the referee was advised to look at the pitchside monitor (50:26-50:33), awarding the kick five seconds later.
An innocuous challenge a yard inside the penalty area on Jude Bellingham (79:21) when Nico Schlotterbeck slid into his ankle was only noticed by the VAR officials. Only after a Harry Kane shot (80:18) and a corner was awarded (80:22) was Makkelie made aware and then ordered to look at the monitor (80:57). Nine seconds later, for fourteen seconds, he did so. Then awarded a penalty kick (81:37) and a caution.

1037
21 November 2022 - 6-2 vs. Iran
Istād Khalīfah, Al Rayyan

WCF
The first known use of VAR came late on in the hundredth minute of this match. The referee, Rapael Claus, was called on (99:15) to review a foul when John Stones pulled on the shirt (99:00) of Morteza Pouraliganji, bringing him down as Eshan Hajsafi's free-kick was floated into the six-yard area. Claus confirmed (99:55) he was to look at the VAR monitor, which he did (100:15) for 43 seconds and awarded a penalty-kick (101:06).

1038
25 November 2022 - 0-0 vs. United States
Āstād āl-Bayt, Al Khawr
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE
1039 29 November 2022 - 3-0 vs. Wales
Āstād āl-Bayt, Al Khawr
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE, although all goals would have to be checked.
1040 4 December 2022 - 3-0 vs. Senegal
Āstād āl-Bayt, Al Khawr
VAR was called upon (21:59 to 22:57) to check a handball by John Stones, with the correct decision reached that the ball bounced to his hand from his own knee.

1041
10 December 2022 - 1-2 vs. France
Āstād āl-Bayt, Al Khawr
As VAR is to used to check all goals, the first mention within this game followed the first France goal (16:22). Bukayo Saka was fouled by Dayotchanculle Upamecano (15:56) as he picked up a ball from Kyle Walker on the right hand side of the French penalty area. VAR deemed no foul was committed.
VAR was used to check a foul again by Upamecano, his time on Harry Kane (24:33) on the right line of the penalty box. VAR was checked (24:50 to 26:02) with no foul committed.
Dayotchanculle Upamecano was again involved in the second half when he fouled Saka (51:27) just inside the penalty area. The referee, Wilton Sampalo, pointed straight at the spot. Although it took Kane another two minutes (53:26) put away the kick, it was not down to any extensive check.
In England's first attack seeking a second equalising goal, Théo Hernandez clattered Mason Mount in his back (79:42) as he ran onto a Jude Bellingham long ball into the penalty area. A VAR review ensued and Sampalo was asked to look (80:44) at the monitor, which he did (80:55) for 24 seconds. Awarding a penalty kick (81:23) and cautioned Hernandez.

1042
23 March 2023 - 2-1 vs. Italy
Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli

ECP
The VAR was called into action in the 13th minute, checking Declan Rice's goal. The check was complete 13:38.
It was VAR that awarded the penalty kick that became England's second and vital goal. As Harry Kane attempted to chest down Bukayo Saka's corner kick, Giovanni Di Lorenzo's outstretched arm struck the ball first (40:12). A goal-kick was awarded and whilst the England players remonstrated, the VAR check proceeded (40:20). The referee, Srđjan Jovanić, was then asked to view the pitchside monitor (41:03), and he did so for 38 seconds (41:24-42:02) before then awarding a penalty kick (42:12).
1043 26 March 2023 - 2-0 vs. Ukraine
National Stadium, Wembley
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE, although both goals would have to be checked.

1044
16 June 2023 - 4-0 vs. Malta
Stadium azzjonali, Ta' Qali
The only known use of VAR in this match was to awarded England's second penalty kick. Callum Wilson ran to the right-hand side of the penalty area to cross the ball back in, with Phil Foden being the hopeful recipient, however, it struck the hand of Steve Borg (79:56) and the ball parried to his goalkeeper. Play resumed before the referee called a halt to play (80:29) to be instructed (80:46) to view the monitor (81:03) for thirty seconds. Awarding the kick (81:40).
1045 19 June 2023 - 7-0 vs. North Macedonia
Old Trafford, Manchester
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE, although all the goals would have to be checked.

1046
9 September 2023 - 1-1 vs. Ukraine
Tarczyński Arena, Wrocław
VAR was used on numerous occasions throughout this match. First called upon to check Taras Stepnanenko's foul on James Maddison (20:47), no red card followed. The first Ukrainian goal (25:14) was also checked without incident. Apparently, Marc Guéhi's collision with Roman Yaremchuk (29:04) in the corner of the penalty area was the first penalty check. Then Harry Kane's cross blocked by Viktor Tsyhankov (30:49) was the next check for handball.James Maddison's foul (33:50) on Ilya Zabarnyi was checked and a yellow card sufficed. England's equalising goal by Kyle Walker (40:16) was checked for offside, with the goal being confirmed (41:28).
In the second half, Bukayo Saka's low strike was caught between the arm and ribs of Serhiy Kryvtsov (62:07) as he fell to ground in the penalty area. No penalty (62:30). Then, at Ukraine's second corner of the match, Marcus Rashford's challange on Mykhailo Mudryk (69:50) is checked for a penalty. The challenge was outside the area and the late challenge was considered no foul either (71:10). A final red card check was delivered when Harry Maguire collided with goalkeeper Heorhiy Buschan (84:44) in reaching for the loose ball.

1047
12 September 2023 - 3-1 vs. Scotland
The National Stadium, Glasgow

Fr
VAR was first used to check on England's first goal. It checked Marcus Rashford's position as he received the ball from Jude Bellingham (31:35) before laying-off a pass for Kyle Walker to shoot for Phil Foden to guide in (31:38). Awarded 33:05.
Then, following England's second goal, which passed without incident, Ché Adam's received the ball on the six yard line (36:03), and with him was Marc Guéhi, who fell on the tackle,and the ball with his left hand as he his the ground. Calls for handball followed and the check concluded without any punishment (36:36).
1048 13 October 2023 - 1-0 vs. Australia
The National Stadium, Wembley
NO REPORTS OF THE VAR IN USE

1049
17 October 2023 - 3-1 vs. Italy
The National Stadium, Wembley

ECP
The first confirmed use of VAR in this match came after Giovanni Di Lorenzo fouled Jude Bellingham (27:46) as he sprinted into the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot (27:49) and despite just under two minutes (1:58) of checking, his decision was not overturned. In fact, he cautioned Lorenzo (29:58) for the foul. Kane then dispatched the kick with vigour (31:01).
No other reports of VAR in use were mentioned, but would have checked all the goals.

1050
17 November 2023 - 2-0 vs. Malta
The National Stadium, Wembley
The first confirmed use of VAR in this match came after Declan RIce brilliant run and shot (75:43)that should have put England 3-0 up. However, the ball, on its way sailing past Henry Bonello's goal, had brushed the shirt of Harry Kane, who, along with Phil Foden, were stood in an offside position. After considerable deliberation, the goal was struck off (77:28) and the match resumed with a free-kick
No other reports of VAR in use were mentioned.

1051
20 November 2023 - 1-1 vs. North Macedonia
Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje
The first confirmed use of the VAR in this match was to award a penalty-kick against England. When Rico Lewis rose higher to clear Enis Bardhi's through ball, his flailing hand caught the face of Bojan Miovski (36:39). The referee, Filip Glova, initially ignores Miovski rolling around the penalty area. It was not until the ball went out of play (37:03) that the referee called a halt to proceedings to allow the communication with the VAR officials to continue. He was then advised to view the pitchside monitor (confirmed 37:49), which he did for 36 seconds from 38:05. Awarded 38:52 and Lewis cautioned four seconds later.
The second confirmed use came in first-half injury time when Harry Maguire took Elif Elmas' knee to his face (45+3:13) at a Trent Alexander-Arnold corne. This time the referee halted play (45+3:19) to allow Maguire to receive treatment and for Jack Grealish to remonstrate with Stole Dimitrievski after he accused Maguire of cheating. VAR saw no foul and allowed Glova to restart (45+4:26) with a dropball (45+5:05) and the referee ended the first-half four seconds later.
The second half began as quarrelsome as the end of the first half. After Bukayo Saka dribbled his way through the penalty area before laying off a ball for Jack Grealish to strike the ball into the net from three yards (46:42). However, he was waiting in an offside position and VAR correctly disallowed the goal, with the referee awarding a free-kick (49:32) to restart the play, almost three minutes later.

1052
23 March 2024 - 0-1 vs. Brazil
The National Stadium, Wembley

Fr
The only confirmed used of VAR in this match was to deliberate on the only goal of the match, this despite the constant fouling from the Brazil team, particularly Lucas Paquetá, who committed, it could be argued, six cautionable offences, of which he received only one.
Endrick broke records when he scored (79:43), but despite England's protestations at Vinícius Junior's offside, VAR did check whether Endrick was offside when Vinícius Junior first struck the ball that Pickford saved. Endrick was not offside, and prior to that, Vinícius Junior was played on by Declan Rice when Andreas Pereira played the ball (79:37).

1053
26 March 2024 - 2-2 vs. Belgium
The National Stadium, Wembley
The first use of the VAR came in the fifteenth minute. Ivan Toney, picking up a through-ball from Jude Bellingham, was barged in the back by Jan Vertonghen (14:31). The referee pointed at the spot (14:33) and VAR completed its check ninety seconds later (16:04).
When Jarrod Bowen headed into the net (25:58) a Lewis Dunk head-back from a Phil Foden corner. It was initially awarded, then checked and ruled as offside (27:25). Both Bowen and Bellinfgham were stood in front of the Belgian back line at the time Dunk headed the ball.
The second Belgium goal, scored by Youri Tielemans (35.02), was briefly checked for offside before being correctly awarded (36:22).
In the second half, a long run from his own half by Phil Foden was ended abrubltly in the penalty area by Amadou Onana (64:59). The referee waved play-on whilst VAR checked and eventually agreed the referee (65:33).

Notes

Glen & the VAR (in 2018)

1. "It looks like Tarkowski stands on him but it's during the running process and he is going down anyway," Southgate told BBC Radio 5 live.
ME: If he was going down anyway, it was because of Tarkowski trying to pull him back! I don't think that he was diving.

2. Tarkowski said: "It's never a penalty. I stood on his foot but I didn't think a lot of it."

ME: This begs the question, 'is standing on a player's foot a foul?' Answer: if it's deliberate. Was it deliberate? I don't think so, but combined
with holding his arm and causing him to fall, maybe that's enough to call it a foul.

3. "There was contact, he's rolling around and obviously that has influenced the referee, they've got the penalty and scored the goal"
- Jermain Defoe, England striker on BBC Radio 5 live.

ME: He was rolling around because Tarkowski stood on his foot. I think that we'd all do the same, it's painful!

4. "For me if I go through on goal, and there's contact, I'll go down." - Defoe.
ME: Then you should be punished (and certainly shouldn't be spouting those views on national radio). Wouldn't it be better for the game if no
players did that, or can we only look at it from a striker's point of view?

5. "VAR was brought in for clear and obvious errors. If it's clear and obvious why the hell did it take twenty views for ref to change his mind? And still nobody can agree if it's right or wrong" - Alan Shearer on Twitter.

ME: It's not all black or white. The VAR looked at it and probably thought that it was worth a second view. It was clear and obvious that it needed a second look, that's the benefit of VAR. You have to take a judgement call quickly and then confirm it one way or the other. We have to trust these guys, not jump down their throats with sensationalist quotes just because we have a prominent profile and have an agenda to prove that it doesn't work! Also, it didn't take anywhere near 20 views and it's not abouterybody agreeing. It's about what the officials think. These tools mean that they're going to get it right, almostery time. Surely, that's the only important thing? It's pointless trying to geteryone to agree, whenerybody's biased towards their own team.

6. "It's irrelevant whether they think it was a penalty or not. VAR is there for the obvious howlers" - Gary Lineker on Twitter.
ME: If a decision is reversed after viewing several replays, surely that justifies it,en if it's more of 'I have a strong suspicion that it's an obvious howler, but I'm not 100% sure', or do we only protest when it's against England?

Does nobody possess the ability to look at this objectively, without any bias? Referees will always make mistakes, but they know the rules better than any of the pundits or fans. There can't be a fan out there who sees his own defender step on a striker's foot and doesn't worry that a penalty will be given. We then rely on one man's instant interpretation and hope that he hasn't seen it. Regardless of who the team is, it has to be good for the game if another official says, "Hang on, you might want to take another look at that". The 'clear and obvious error' thing is surely just guidance for the VAR to stop them reviewingerything. You can only see that it was a clear and obvious error when you've looked at all of theidence. Until then, it's only a suspicion.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest! One other interesting point was that Italian players were encroaching when the kick was taken. The VAR should have pointed that out which just goes to prove that there's plenty of room for improvement, but what's the alternative? Go back to ridiculing the referee, because we've seen the video and he hasn't?

Glen & the VAR (in 2022 after John Stones was sent off without a VAR check)

I don’t think that they can intervene when it’s a second yellow, only straight reds. Another of the VAR rules where they seem to miss out on the important stuff. I’d make sure that VAR:

  • always checked every sending off, including second yellows (after all, it’s a game-changing moment, just as much as a straight red is).
  • checked all situations where it’s either a goal-kick or a corner (because that could lead to an unfair goal), also whether the ball went out or not on the touchline (managers love to fixate on these things if a goal follows soon afterwards).
  • ensured that no penalties were awarded without the referee watching the video (either that or take the penalty decisions away from the referee, he only gets one angle in real-time, another angle can make a big difference, you can’t just rely on ‘clear and obvious’ errors when another angle could change your opinion i.e. not necessarily an error of judgement).
  • ensured that no handball decisions were made without looking at the video.
  • made all shirt-pulling punishable by death a straight red. There is no possible justification in the sport of association football. It can never be a part of the ‘art of defending’, so why has it been normalized? How can Chiellini’s grabbing of Saka’s neck in last year’s final only warrant a yellow? He damn near throttled him! That would be assault anywhere else but a football pitch. I don’t buy the argument that if you punished every offence there’d be no players left. If they’re both doing it, send them both off and give a drop ball. Keep retaking corners and sending players off (using VAR) until players stop grabbing each other.

 

While we’re at it, take the timing away from referees and just have sixty minutes per game playing time. There’d still be time wasting, but it would be just stopping momentum, rather than losing time.

 

Finally, I’d have a panel look at the behaviour of serial divers, particularly those that throw their bodies into defenders to instigate collisions (James Maddison is the latest one that I’ve spotted). Ban them if they do it in more than one game (or perhaps three). Give them the power to compare incidents from different matches.

cgi