For the first time ever Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used in the World Cup finals with technology having the potential to fundamentally change the outcome of the tournament by reviewing contentious decisions like: goals, penalties, red cards and cases of mistaken identity; but just think how different things could have been in previous tournaments if something similar had existed.
In light of Antoine Griezmann's penalty earlier today, where VAR handed the French a chance to score from the spot against Australia, which he duly slotted home, here are some other huge calls from years gone by which might have been overturned with the aid of VAR resulting in what have become the most talked about decisions in history being, well, not talked about at all.
Roger Milla’s Disallowed Goal against Peru at Spain 1982
With Cameroon’s opening group match against Peru tightly poised at 0-0 Roger Milla, famed for his hip-swivelling celebrations at Italy 1990, ran through on goal and lofted the ball high into the net to give his side the lead; only for the strike to be ruled-out for offside by Austrian referee Franz Wöhrer.
This was despite the fact that neither Milla nor any of his team mates were in an offside position during the build-up to the “goal” making the decision even more bizarre, not to mention costly as Cameroon crashed out of the World Cup after three group games.
WITH VAR: The Goal would have rightly counted and Cameroon would have then progressed to the second round instead of going home early.
Harald Schumacher’s Foul on Battiston, Spain 1982
Arguably one of the most controversial challenges in World Cup history this was more of an assault than a tackle as France’s Patrick Battiston was knocked unconscious by German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher in the semi-final of Spain ‘82 but astonishingly the incident wasn’t seen by the Dutch referee.
Michel Platini had put Battiston through on goal only for Schumacher to rush from his line, clearing the ball while also wiping-out the unfortunate Frenchman, leaving him with broken ribs, several missing teeth and needing oxygen as he was carried from the field. Incredibly the German ‘keeper calmly put the ball down for a goal kick and restarted the game while no further action was taken.
WITH VAR: Schumacher would have undoubtedly been sent off while France would probably have been awarded a penalty, which might have seen them reach the final and not Germany.
Diego Maradona’s Handball against England, Mexico 1986
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal is still talked about today as England met an Argentina side inspired by their diminutive number 10 in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico; providing probably the most controversial incident in the history of the tournament.
In an attempt to clear the ball Steve Hodge’s awkward slice sailed towards Peter Shilton in the England goal and there seemed only one winner, only for Maradona to flick the ball into an empty net with his left fist, an act which evaded the Tunisian referee and his linesman at the time but something which was clearly visible in television replays seconds later.
WITH VAR: The goal would certainly have been disallowed and Maradona rightly booked, yet his side would probably still have won the game and the World Cup regardless.
Frank Rijkaard’s Spit at Rudi Voller, Italy 1990
Players at this summer’s World Cup finals could be given red cards for off-the-ball incidents spotted by the Video Assistant Referee which would have been bad news for Holland’s Frank Rijkaard who was clearly seen to spit, not once, but twice, at Germany’s Rudi Voller in the Second Round match between Germany and Holland at World Cup ‘90.
A fierce tackle on Voller by Rijkaard was swiftly followed by a clear spit as the world looked on in disgust before Voller was then, incredibly, booked for his complaints to the referee and then later sent off after another tussle between the two men in the box before Rijkaard clearly spat at him once more for good measure as he left the field.
WITH VAR: Rijkaard would almost certainly have been sent off for his actions and received a lengthy ban, though Germany did go on to win the game and the tournament, suggesting that justice was eventually done.
Graham Poll’s Three Card Trick, Germany 2006
As well as dubious decisions VAR can also be called upon in cases of mistaken identity; something which might just have helped English referee Graham Poll as he took charge of Australia v Croatia at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and managed to award the same player three yellow cards.
In the 61st minute, Josip Simunic received his first booking after clashing with Marc Viduca and then hacked down Josh Kennedy in the dying seconds of normal time to receive his second yellow; but incredibly no red. He was only given his marching orders after receiving his third yellow card following a disagreement with Poll when a late Australian strike was ruled out.
WITH VAR: Following the awarding of the second yellow card to Simunic, Poll would surely have been informed by the VAR referee that he should have issued a red card, saving him from years of ridicule.
