Canada earned a penalty against Belgium in the first half.
They should have had two more, according to Jonas Ericsson.
– For me, this is a fiasco of FIFA and the VAR protocol, says SVT.
The refereeing team came into focus during Wednesday night’s World Cup match between Belgium and Canada.
Belgium led 1-0 at half-time after a late goal by Michy Batshuayi, but it was three penalties for Canada that stirred passions.
Canada won a penalty kick in the 11th minute, which was missed by Alphonso Davies. But former FIFA referee Jonas Ericsson is quite certain in his assessment that they should have taken two more penalties.
“clearly”
First when Jan Vertonghen pressed Tajon Buchanan into his own penalty area, and then when Axel Witsel did the same on Richie Larea.
– that there will be no punishment despite the help in the video images we have … I find it very difficult to understand. For me it is a breakdown of the FIFA protocol and the VAR protocol. For me as a judge, it’s pretty straightforward, says Erickson.
“I have no idea”
The main referee for the match, Jani Sikazwe, made headlines during the African Championships last winter when he blew up a match with several minutes remaining. Afterwards it is explained that Sikazwe suffered from heatstroke.
During tonight’s World Cup match, Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, sat in the stands and Jonas Ericsson doesn’t think he was particularly impressed with Jani Sikazui’s performance.
– Our referee (chairman) is not sure. He stops, not knowing whether to blow, looks and calls for helpers. He has no idea what’s going on. VAR is there to correct obvious mistakes, says Ericsson, and that’s where you have to step in and help.
The match is in progress – catch it here!
