England were let off the hook during their match against Ghana after a potentially match-defining penalty incident went unpunished. Ezri Konsa caught Adu on the knee in what many observers believed was a clear foul, making no contact with the ball in the process. England supporters breathed a collective sigh of relief as the referee waved play on, with replays confirming the concerning nature of the challenge.
BBC pundits watching the game were largely in agreement that Konsa and England were fortunate to escape without conceding a penalty. Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was direct in his assessment, stating on BBC One: “I think that’s a penalty. Konsa takes a huge risk. His feet are off the floor when he comes flying in and he gets the man, not the ball. That could easily have been given in my view.” Former England international and ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards echoed those sentiments, noting that “on another day, that could have been a penalty.”
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the incident was the absence of any VAR review. FIFA’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, has advocated for a higher threshold for challenges on the field and greater consistency in decision-making — a philosophy that dictates fewer VAR interventions when more physical play is permitted on the pitch. This directive may well explain why the incident was not referred to the video assistant referee for further scrutiny.
Darren Cann, who served as assistant referee in the 2010 World Cup final, offered a particularly candid verdict on the decision. Speaking on BBC One, Cann said: “As an England fan I am delighted that it wasn’t given, but I have to be honest, for me this should have been referred. Konsa makes absolutely no contact at all with the ball, he brings down his opponent. He is airborne, he is out of control, he makes contact with the attacker. For me this was a penalty kick.” The comments underline the widespread belief among experts that a significant error was made.
The incident raises broader questions about the application of VAR under FIFA’s current officiating guidelines and whether high-profile matches are receiving the level of scrutiny they demand. With pundits, former players, and experienced officials all pointing to the same conclusion, England will know they were fortunate to avoid what could have been a pivotal moment in the game.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
