'Absolutely robbed': Outrage over 'farcical' scenes at Women's World Cup
Controversy has erupted at the Women’s World Cup, with VAR rearing its ugly head again.
France preserved their perfect record to top Group A with a 1-0 win against 10-woman Nigeria on Monday.
But the win came thanks to Wendie Renard's 79th minute penalty awarded after a controversial VAR review.
Renard's first attempt hit the outside of the post but the kick had to be retaken because Chiamaka Nnadozie had moved off her line -- a situation that also happened in France's previous game against Norway -- and the centre back coolly converted.
The Nigerians were absolutely fuming, remonstrating with the official.
Fans, pundits and former players had plenty to say about the questionable use of VAR.
"To award the penalty again, I thought was a bad decision,” Socceroos great Mark Schwarzer said on Optus Sport.
"I think the VAR in general has been a success... but it lets itself down when they make decisions like this, which are quite controversial."
And he wasn’t alone:
Unbelievable scenes in France v Nigeria. The keeper saved this but VAR ordered it retaken because the keeper was this much off the line. I’m an advocate of VAR but this is absolutely shocking #FIFAWWC2019 pic.twitter.com/GU4G8AG4v7
— Chris Holt (@HoltChris) June 17, 2019
'A quadruple punishment for Nigeria. It's farcical!' - @ConorMcNamaraIE
🔲 Penalty by VAR
🔴 Red card for Ebere
🗣️ Retaken penalty
⚽️ Goal for France
FT: #NGA 0-1 #FRA
VAR-cical? Share your thoughts...
Reaction:
📲⚽️: https://t.co/0kUniX6SeW #NGAFRA #bbcfootball#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/GE1HyWykoR— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) June 17, 2019
Watching the replay of the France vs. Nigeria game and seeing the VAR ruling...all I have to say is smh 🙈Nigeria absolutely robbed on the PK call. Shame on those refs for that one. #FIFAWomensWorldCup ⚽️
— Adam Bedell (@ajbedell4) June 17, 2019
The biggest question for me is: Why does VAR seem like such a shambles in the women's World Cup when it didn't at all in last year's men's World Cup?
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 17, 2019
VAR needs to chill.
— Sydney Leroux Dwyer (@sydneyleroux) June 17, 2019
So after years and years, I guess NOW is the time to start strictly enforcing the encroachment rule #FIFAWWC
— Seth Vertelney (@svertelney) June 17, 2019
Nigeria really put up a great battle! I’m sad it had to end in a controversial and unsatisfying penalty after the VAR decision. https://t.co/6QrgOsxlzB
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) June 17, 2019
People talk about VAR like it’s a sci-fi horror scenario where the robots take over when in fact it’s a comedy wherein aliens/robots come to earth and obey obscure traffic bylaws that no human has ever considered.
— David Rudin (@DavidSRudin) June 17, 2019
VAR is actually a French word, La Var, which means "Home-Ice Advantage" 🇫🇷
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 17, 2019
This just in, VAR nullifies ‘99 World Cup. 🇺🇸 back to 2 stars. ⭐️⭐️
Thems the new rules. I guess I’m just nostalgic for the good old days when FIFA ignored women’s soccer and didn’t give a shit about their own tournament...what’s that, they still don’t? pic.twitter.com/blseNVwDjT— Anthony DiCicco (@DiCiccoMethod) June 17, 2019
Thoughts on the France-Nigeria PK retake? Personally think it was a ridiculous use of VAR.
— Taco Darren (@TacoDarren) June 17, 2019
Nigeria were robbed. Absolute VAR mess. #NIGFRA
— Chris Burrows (@MaestroBurrows) June 17, 2019
African champions Nigeria, who could still reach the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, finished with 10 players after Ngozi Ebere was dismissed for a second booking in the 75th for a foul on Kadidiatou Diani that led to the penalty.
France finished with nine points ahead of Norway with six and Nigeria on three while South Korea have none.
France will face one of the best third-placed teams in Le Havre on Sunday.
with agencies
