16 Jul Martin Tyler believes penalty against Croatia should not have been given

Iconic football commentator Martin Tyler believes the penalty that was given to France in this morning’s World Cup final should not have been given according to VAR (video assistant referee) rules.

The VAR has been the centre of controversy throughout the World Cup, beginning with a questionable penalty decision against the Socceroos in their opening game against eventual winners France, and continuing throughout the tournament.

With the scores tied at 1-1, Croatia’s Ivan Perisic appeared to touch the ball with his hand inside the penalty box which at first was called play on by the referee, but overturned to a penalty after a VAR review.

Tyler believes it was one of two wrong decisions in the final.

“I didn’t think it was a penalty and I don’t think VAR proved it was,” said Tyler on SEN’s Whateley.

“I think it has to be a clear and obvious error, that’s the wording in the protocol for the video referees.

“I didn’t think it was a clear an obvious error.

“I also thought to be honest with you that the foul the led to the free kick that led to the opening goal wasn’t a foul either,” he added.

“That always bugs me a little bit.

“I like real justice and I thought VAR was there to provide it to be honest, but I didn’t think that was in the legal tender of how VAR is supposed to work.

“It was given and we live with it.”

Everyone in Croatia right now pic.twitter.com/HeJexwEWLe

— Tom Adams (@tomadams83) July 15, 2018

Source: SEN Soccer