Deniz Aytekin England Italy VAR penaltı decision 03272018AA

'VAR has ruined association football' - Video assistant referee causes more controversy in England draw

The use of the video assistant referee (VAR) has come under criticism once more as Italy claimed a controversial penalty to draw with England at Wembley.

VAR will be used at the World Cup for the first time this summer, but many players, pundits and fans are calling for it to be banned before then following the latest controversial decision.

A late penalty from Lorenzo Insigne cancelled out Jamie Vardy's first-half goal to see England and Italy share the spoils at Wembley, but the equaliser came when German referee Deniz Aytekin consulted the video following an incident between debutant James Tarkowski and Federico Chiesa in the penaly area.

Article continues below

Aytekin awarded a penalty against the Burnley defender, believing he had stamped on Chiesa's foot, allowing Insigne to put the ball beyond Jack Butland from the spot.

Fans and followers of the game were furious online, with most believing that the penalty should not have been given.

Former England strikers Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were shocked by the decision, while Joey Barton labelled the technology a "shambles."

FIFA have confirmed that VAR will be used at the World Cup this summer, but UEFA announced in February that it would not be rolled out in the Champions League next season as they do not want to rush it and wish to wait until it is ready.

Advertisement