sports

The VAR call that dumbfounded the world's best refs

BBC Sport·June 16, 2026
The VAR call that dumbfounded the world's best refs

France players were left stunned after a tackle by Sadio Mane on Kylian Mbappe did not result in a penalty being awarded. The decision has sparked widespread debate, with many of the world's top referees expressing their surprise at the call. Mbappe went down in the box under Mane's challenge, but the referee chose not to award a penalty, leaving the French team and fans dumbfounded. The incident has ignited a global discussion about the use of VAR in high-stakes matches.

✦ AI-generated summary

More from Sports