News Focus
- Kylian Mbappe is denied a spot-kick after a clear foul inside the penalty area during France’s clash with Senegal in Dallas
- The referee reviews the incident on the pitch-side monitor but refuses to award a penalty
- Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann and journalist Tom Garry question the decision after watching in a local venue
- England begin their World Cup 2026 campaign in Dallas with a strong win from their attacking trio
- The controversial call sparks debate about VAR effectiveness at the tournament
The 2026 World Cup match between France and Senegal ended in controversy after officials refused to award a penalty to French captain Kylian Mbappe. The incident took place inside the penalty box when a Senegal defender clearly fouled the striker during the first half.
Despite reviewing multiple replays on the pitch-side monitor, the match referee shocked spectators by waving play on. This decision left football experts stunned. Among them was Darren Cann, the former Premier League assistant referee, who watched the game at a Dallas pub alongside respected football writer Tom Garry.
Both men expressed complete disbelief at the final call. They agreed that the video evidence showed a clear foul. The referee had access to the same technology and camera angles, yet still reached the wrong conclusion after studying the screen.
The drama unfolded as England kicked off their own World Cup journey in Dallas with an impressive victory. A big-hitting trio of forwards found the net for Gareth Southgate’s side, but even their strong start could not shift attention away from the refereeing debate.
Football supporters across Kenya and the world took to social media to criticise the standard of officiating. Many argued that the Video Assistant Referee system failed to correct a clear and obvious error. The incident raises serious questions about consistency in decision-making at the biggest tournament in world football.