In discussions among football fans who watched Ghana’s World Cup opener against Portugal, referee Ismail Elfath has taken center stage.
The encounter, easily the most entertaining second half of the 2022 World Cup, was marred by some controversial decisions by the American referee.
Among the contentious calls were his refusal to review a penalty and Rafael Leao’s offside goal, which many believe cost Ghana the game.
Football fans from across Africa who watched Ghana’s Group H opener against Portugal were outraged by some questionable refereeing decisions.
Ghana met Portugal for the second time at the FIFA World Cup, following their meeting in Brazil in 2014, which ended in favour of the Europeans.
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Ghana began the game cautiously, managing to secure a goalless draw at halftime, determined to exact revenge and record Africa’s first win at the 2022 Mundial.
Below are some of the comments across the micro-blogging App, Twitter:
@Bosongo_ argued: “So when it’s against African teams then there’s no VAR? Clear robbery against Ghana!”
@1muyool added: “Daylight Robbery! NO VAR”
A passionate social media user @breathMessi21 stated with unmitigated certainty said “Ghana was robbed, this should have been a draw but robberies in Football are so common these days even if it’s a World Cup.”
@of_mansa believes Africans have been served a raw deal: “Leao is clearly offside. No VAR check or anything. Utter garbage the way they treat African countries.”
@brodaderek quizzed how a glaring offside did not attract the attention of the assistant referees or officials in the VAR room: “How is this not an offside? Like how? Big Shame.”
SOURCE: Sportsbrief.com
