Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz took aim at the Video Assistant Referee system after his side’s 0-0 draw with England, joking that VAR had “gone on vacation” and “stopped for coffee” following a series of disputed decisions in the Group L clash at Boston Stadium on Tuesday night.
England dominated possession with 79 per cent of the ball but were unable to break down a disciplined Ghana side, in what marked the highest possession figure by a team that failed to score at a World Cup in six decades.
The Black Stars, however, were left frustrated by two key incidents in the second half. First, Ghana appealed for a penalty after Ezri Konsa’s challenge on substitute Prince Adu Kwabena.
Moments earlier, the forward had also been involved in a collision with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with officials awarding a free kick rather than penalising the keeper.
Queiroz, speaking after the match, mixed humour with criticism as he questioned the effectiveness of VAR.
“Is VAR still working in the World Cup?” he joked. “Do we still have VAR? I have doubts about that.” He returned to the same theme afterwards, saying: “The VAR referee was on vacation in the second half, apparently.”
He later doubled down on the theme, suggesting the system had been absent when Ghana needed it most.
“Once again, the VAR went for coffee,” Queiroz continued afterwards. “I like to take my coffee once in a while! It’s a clear penalty and a red card [on Konsa]. Do you have any doubts about that, or is it only me who was at the game?”
The Ghana coach later softened his tone, acknowledging his sarcasm as the press conference ended.
“I am sorry for my sarcasm,” he said, “but if I say this kind of thing seriously, they punish me. So I am joking.”
The result leaves both Ghana and England level on four points at the top of Group L, with final group matches set for Saturday.
England face Panama while Ghana take on Croatia in decisive fixtures for qualification to the knockout stage.
