Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
VAR: Roy Keane slams ‘idiot’ referee and Ian Wright over World Cup final penalty decision
VAR made a controversial call in today’s World Cup final - and it is fair to say Roy Keane did not agree with it.
World Cup: Pundits rage over VAR penalty decision in final
France were awarded a penalty after Croatia winger Ivan Perisic was adjudged to have handled in his own area.
Referee Nestor Pitana initially did not give the spot-kick but reversed his decision after reviewing the incident on the side of the pitch.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright was in the minority in the ITV studio and agreed with the referee’s call.
“I don’t know, I would want that (as a striker),” Wright said.
“Yes, for me. Yes it is. I feel for Croatia, but if I’m France, and you can see the amount of guys appealing for it, I would want that. I would want it.”
France vs Croatia LIVE: World Cup final updates
The Croatian players deserve better than that, it’s a ridiculous decision. I’m fuming, absolutely fuming, disgraceful decision
Keane reacted angrily to Wright, claiming he “needs his head examined”.
And he labelled Pitana an “idiot” for making a “disgraceful” decision.
“You need your head examined,” Keane said to Wright.
“Football’s a great game, greatest game on the planet. That decision there disgusts me, absolutely disgusts me.
“The Croatian players deserve better than that, it’s a ridiculous decision. I’m fuming, absolutely fuming, disgraceful decision.
“That referee’s never played football, guarantee it. I bet he’s never played football.
“Where’s the common sense? If it finishes like this, we’ll end up talking about the referee.
“We’re not supposed to be talking about referees. We’re supposed to be talking about the players and the quality and we’ve got to talk about this idiot.
“It’s a crazy decision, crazy. I’m just about to calm down, hopefully by the end of the game.”
France went on to win the game 4-2 after a dramatic second half in Moscow.