Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz joked that VAR 'went for coffee' after England escaped a penalty and red card in their goalless World Cup draw, according to ESPN.
Summary
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has humorously suggested that the video assistant referee must have taken a coffee break after England avoided what he believed was a clear penalty and red card during Tuesday's goalless World Cup stalemate, according to ESPN.
The Details
Speaking after the match, Queiroz was quoted by ESPN as saying that the VAR official appeared to be absent for a key decision that could have changed the outcome. The incident in question involved an England player, though specific details of the challenge were not disclosed in the report. Queiroz described England as 'lucky' to have escaped without punishment, implying that the decision was a clear error.
The match itself ended 0-0, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. England dominated possession but failed to break down a resolute Ghanaian defense, while the Black Stars threatened on the counter-attack. The result leaves both teams with work to do in their respective World Cup campaigns.
What It Means
Queiroz's comments highlight ongoing frustrations with VAR consistency at the tournament. While his remarks were made in jest, they reflect a broader debate about the technology's reliability. For England, the draw is a setback but not a disaster, while Ghana will take confidence from holding a strong opponent. The incident, if reviewed, could prompt further scrutiny of VAR protocols. For more World Cup news, visit our dedicated coverage.
Source: Reported by ESPN. Summary compiled by NinetyMins.
