England fans furious after "farcical" Harry Kane dive decision that VAR ignored
Harry Kane could barely believe what he was seeing when he turned to see a yellow card being brandished at him for diving during England's meeting with Malta.
The Three Lions skipper has enjoyed a season where just about everything has gone his way, but Kane had no such joy out of referee Luis Godinho on Friday evening. After picking up on a sloppy passage of play from the Malta defence, it looked as if the Bayern Munich talisman was clearly brought down while trying to round goalkeeper Henry Bonello.
It is a move England fans have seen so many times, Kane gets the better of an onrushing 'keeper, clipped and then steps up to convert the resulting spot-kick. Some have been more dubious than others, but this one was a nailed-on stonewaller.
If Godhino getting it wrong was bad, the fact that those watching multiple replays from the VAR room chose not to intervene is even worse. Make no mistake, the incident will not be one that will cost Gareth Southgate's side.
England are already qualified and were 1-0 up at the time of the incident. But it is yet another example of VAR being involved in the kind of controversy it was implemented to avoid. It was easy to see that Kane had been fouled in real time, easier with one replay and a certainty after more than a second glance.
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Well, easy to everyone but those in charge. It was not the only questionable call of the half, with Marc Guehi deemed to have been guilty of a foul despite clearly being the one held inside the Malta penalty area, but it wasn't quite as glaring an error as the Kane call.
HAVE YOUR SAY!Should Kane have been awarded a penalty against Malta? Comment below
Harry Kane was deemed to have dived despite being clipped by Henry BonelloFans on social media were quick to voice their feelings on the matter, with one writing: "The ref’s embarrassed himself big time. That was a penalty not a yellow card for Harry Kane for diving...", another added: "That Harry Kane booking might be one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. How’s it not been given by VAR?"
Their sentiments were echoed by an equally irate England fan, who wrote: "Harry Kane should have had a penalty. That is a farcical decision. Where is VAR?"
VAR, yet again, was found wanting in the face of what looked like an undeniable penalty.
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