England were held to a draw away to North Macedonia to finish off their qualifying campaign. Despite the talent on the field, it was the refereeing display that caught the eye of the watchers.
England were looking to make it through 2023 without a single defeat. They travelled to North Macedonia with high hopes of picking up three points, but the hosts didn’t make it easy for them, neither did the referee.
The Slovakian official let early tackles go by without bookings, despite several players committing multiple fouls.
The first moment of controversy came when Harry Maguire appeared to fall and push the North Macedonia striker. VAR decided not to intervene with the on-field decision, and play resumed.
Maguire😂😂😂 how’s the ref not given that?!😱 pic.twitter.com/b46WRWPBX9
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) November 20, 2023
Shortly after, with the first half coming to a close, Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis was penalised for what appeared to be a nothing challenge. The defender, making his debut, jumped to head the ball and caught the striker with his flailing arm. VAR told the referee to go to the monitor, leading to him pointing to the spot.
VAR tell the referee to go and check this for a penalty but didn’t get him to check the Maguire ‘tackle’.
Rico Lewis doesn’t foul the player and the referee waves his hands to say no penalty. He then needs to watch 8 replays to give a penalty to Macedonia.
Football is finished pic.twitter.com/0V3zmvAeuz
— Suzesport.com (@SuZeSport) November 20, 2023
Social media reaction to the refereeing display
The decision to award a penalty for the apparent foul by Lewis sparked outrage on X (formerly Twitter) with some arguing the refereeing decision has ruined football.
The incident was one we see in almost every game. This decision opens the door to lots of fouls been given every game for such incidents.
Here are the best reactions to the refereeing display on X:
England crap referee diabolical should never be allowed to ref another international no chance for Euros. Sorry struggled to stay awake
— Glenn Cook (@GlennCook167534) November 20, 2023
Horrific officiating by the Slovak Referee that could have really threw the game in the oppositions favour.
But thankfully Gareth Southgate’s men managed to secure a result.
That referee must have been tormented in a previous life by Graham Taylor for him to hate @England.
— Sebster™🇾🇪🇶🇦 (@Sebmeister) November 20, 2023
England were poor, but nowhere near as bad as the refereeing. How have England got two terrible referees in consecutive games? UEFA need to look at the standards.
— dw26120 (@dw26120) November 20, 2023
Well at least we can all agree that England has the worst referees, right?
— 🇿🇦 ✊🏽 (@Tbose_22) November 20, 2023
You appear to have given a couple of trainee referees work experience tonight. Shocking official for England game and I believe Ukraine Italy was as bad.
— The Grich (@grich_the) November 20, 2023
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