Disappointed and Confused: Thomas Tuchel Slams Ref Call in England's Loss to Senegal
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Referee under scrutiny for alleged rule-breaking, as suggested by Thomas Tuchel - Referee criticism by Thomas Tuchel: "Breaches of the rules"
The recent encounter between England and Senegal stirred controversy, particularly with Thomas Tuchel voicing his dissatisfaction. His team faced a shocking defeat, and the disqualification of a potential equalizer was a major subject of contention.
During the match, Levi Colwill was accused of a handball before what appeared to be the equalizing goal. Though it seemed more like a shoulder touch, referee Stephanie Frappart's initial decision favored awarding the goal. Post several replays on the pitch-side screen, the French referee eventually disallowed the goal - an action that left the English team fuming.
Tuchel's Post-Match Outburst: Frustration with VAR Intervention
Following the final whistle, Tuchel wasted no time addressing Frappart. Despite her swift ending of the discussion, he later derided the referee's decision in an interview with ITV. "It looks more like a shoulder than a hand," he exclaimed.
Tuchel was adamant that the disallowed goal wasn't a clear mistake and should have stood. In his opinion, a repeated examination of unclear incidents goes against the rules. "Either it's a mistake, then it should be overturned. Or it's not a clear mistake, then it's a goal," he contended.
Even England striker Harry Kane from Bayern Munich echoed Tuchel's disapproval, expressing little understanding of the referee's decision. "If you know the rules, it's not a handball," he declared during the ITV interview.
Thomas Tuchel took the helm of the English national team early this year. While he remained undefeated in his first three games, the recent narrow 1:0 win against Andorra drew significant criticism at home, and this loss to Senegal adds fuel to the fire.
Source: ITV
- Thomas Tuchel
- England
- Handball
- Stephanie Frappart
A Look at VAR Rules for Handball Incidents
Rules surrounding VAR intervention in soccer are well-defined by IFAB (International Football Association Board) and FIFA.
- For intervention, the on-field call must be a "clear and obvious error."
- After VAR recommendation, the referee may choose to stick with the original decision, accept the VAR’s advice without a pitch-side review, or consult the pitch-side monitor for a personal re-evaluation.
- The handball must be intentional or make the body “unnaturally bigger” to be penalized. VAR helps determine if the referee’s judgment on these criteria is correct.
- VAR does not intervene for routine handballs that do not lead to major incidents.
There's been no direct mention of Tuchel's comments regarding VAR and unclear handball incidents in the available sources. However, the context and severity of handball incidents that trigger VAR intervention are crucial to maintain fair play in the game.
- Thomas Tuchel, expressing frustration after England's loss to Senegal, stated, "Either it's a mistake, then it should be overturned. Or it's not a clear mistake, then it's a goal."
- Despite the controversy surrounding Levi Colwill's disallowed goal in the general-news category, the rules for VAR intervention in sports, specifically football, state that a handball must be intentional or make the body "unnaturally bigger" to be penalized.
- In the realm of European leagues and crime-and-justice, a similar concept could be applied: the need for clear and obvious evidence to make a decision, rather than relying on interpretations or debatable judgments.
