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Referee In England Vs Cameroon Rejected Two VAR Decisions In Fear Of African Side Walking Off

Ryan Sidle

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Referee In England Vs Cameroon Rejected Two VAR Decisions In Fear Of African Side Walking Off

The referee in England's Women's World Cup last 16 match against Cameroon rejected two VAR decisions, one for a penalty and one for a red card, to stop the African team walking out of the match.

England's 3-0 win the last 16 of the Women's World Cup against Cameroon was covered in controversy as VAR interjected on several occasions, and failed two on a few more.

Phil Neville's side were on the better end of most decisions, having a goal given that was initially ruled out and seeing Cameroon have their goal disallowed but more could, and should, have gone the Lionesses' way.

According to the Telegraph, referee Qin Liang twice overruled VAR's decision because she feared the Cameroon players would walk off the pitch.

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Cameroon fans argue with the referee. Image: PA Images
Cameroon fans argue with the referee. Image: PA Images

First she ignored the decision not give a penalty when Fran Kirby was adjudged to have been fouled and late on she didn't send off Alexandra Takounda for her challenge on England captain Steph Houghton.

Cameroon had twice previously stopped the game to complain about decisions and it looked like they would walk off.

Ellen White scored England's second on the stroke of half time. The assistant referee wrong flagged for offside and VAR correctly overruled the decision to give the goal.

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The Cameroon players then got in a huddle before the game could restart and held a discussion with the referee before the captain went back to discuss further with her teammates.

More discussion broke out after half time when the African's had a goal disallowed for a very marginal offside.

The report in the Telegraph says that FIFA backed the referees decision to ignore VAR in the favour of harmony on the pitch and seeing the match completed with both teams on the pitch.

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Players argue with the ref after the challenge on Houghton. Image: PA Images
Players argue with the ref after the challenge on Houghton. Image: PA Images

Amongst the other incidents Toni Duggan was spat on and Nikita Parris appeared to be elbowed, both before England had scored their first goal.

On another day Cameroon could have been down to eight players on the pitch and conceded a penalty.

England did well to keep their composure throughout and ran out victors and have earnt themselves a quarter final on Thursday against Norway, with the winners facing a tricky test versus France or USA in the semi final.

Topics: Football News, Cameroon, Phil Neville, England, Women's Football, Women's World Cup, World Cup, VAR

Ryan Sidle
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