As you’d expect, the high-stakes match was filled with inflammatory incidents. A few pivotal moments have sparked a major conversation between fans, analysts, and officials. One yellow card during the game, to a player for supposedly deceiving the referee to win a penalty. Moments later, he received a second yellow card, sending him off the pitch in disgraceful fashion. The VAR drama wasn’t over, as the referee reviewed Brian Brobbey’s late equaliser on the monitor before allowing it to stand after reviewing the play. The match was accompanied by debate and controversy over several penalty calls and handball decision points, creating further skepticism over the standards of officiating across leagues.
The Kingdom’s first punishment occurred early on, after goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili clumsily tripped Jeremy Doku. This ugly truly was a blessing in disguise for the team. VAR official Paul Tierney took a long, hard look at the incident. He even referred to the contact as “de minimis,” yet still granted a penalty. This ruling brought attention to the delicate lines referees have to walk while on the pitch.
Disallowed Goals and VAR Checks
Brian Brobbey hit a late equaliser as the game opened up. This triggered an extensive VAR review to ensure that no fouls were committed in the build-up. Despite a potential high foot on the play, once the officials reviewed the play, they determined that this was not an infraction and let the goal stand. While this was an incredible moment, unfortunately, another incident stole the thunder. Alessia Russo’s winner stood, while Frida Maanum’s equaliser was ruled out at the other end.
“This should have been given as a goal. When you look at Donnarumma, he is coming across slightly to his right but then he pivots to the left, so that means he can see where the ball is going.” – Jay Bothroyd
The VAR checks have led to international discussions regarding how referees make a decision and what constitutes enough of a reason to overrule a goal/foul. Dermot Gallagher noted the subjective nature of such assessments, stating, “It is subjective without doubt and it is a grey area because it’s all about the interpretation.”
The Yellow Card Controversy
A key turning point in the game came when {PLAYER} drew a yellow card. He had attempted to con the ref into awarding a penalty, but the chickens came home to roost on his gamesmanship. After this sending off, receiving a second yellow card, he took his punishment with dignity.
“I accept it,” the player reportedly said to the referee after receiving the card.
For years, critics have complained that these penalties are excessively harsh and disproportionate. Jay Bothroyd shone a light on the extreme punishments players are given for ‘offences’ during and after matches. “I don’t think those kind of decisions should be given as a penalty. That’s a severe punishment,” he remarked.
Plus, the Dan Ballard and Mikel Merino incidents only added to the confusion around cards and fouls. Ballard’s foul, elbowing Merino, after heading the ball out of the penalty area. That incident raised a storm of questions about whether disciplinary action should have been taken.
Handball Decisions Under Scrutiny
The other defining moment of the match came as Stina Blackstenius was whistled for handball. But in fact, upon replays, the ball never hit her hand, prompting outrage from both commentators and fans. Gallagher was the first to call out the absurdity. He said that the referee would have come to a different conclusion if he had seen it from a different angle.
“If she had the angle we saw, she would see it came off her thigh,” Gallagher explained. He emphasized that Blackstenius’ arm position was misinterpreted by the referee, leading to an incorrect decision.
Even worse than half-baked was an ejection of Robert Robertson for ducking under a challenge. What some people thought was a dangerous play, causing a foul, was just a player protecting himself from contact, according to the defense. “Robertson has ducked but, if anything, the person who would be in his eye-line more is [Man City’s Jeremy] Doku,” remarked Jay Bothroyd.
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