World Cup 2018: Sam Allardyce slams ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ Colombia behaviour against England but insists VAR is not the problem
Big Sam joined talkSPORT on Wednesday morning to reflect on England's dramatic last-16 victory in Moscow
Former England boss has branded Colombia ‘a joke’ for their dreadful conduct in Tuesday’s ill—tempered World Cup clash against England.
The South Americans tried every trick in the book to rile the Three Lions in Moscow, but Gareth Southgate’s side refused to be affected by the gamesmanship and went on to seal their place in the quarter-finals with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win – their first in history.
Colombia’s game plan was clear from the start – get in the faces of England’s players and do everything to upset their rhythm while hitting them on the counter. Not that they had much joy.
It was particularly disgusting to watch when Colombia players deliberately scuffed up the penalty spot after England were awarded a spot kick in the second-half.
American referee Mark Geiger didn’t see, he was too busy being bombarded by players in protest of the decision, while a few attempted to put off Harry Kane as he waited with ball in hand - not that that mattered either, as the ice-cool England captain rifled in his sixth goal of the tournament.
There was also a headbutt on Jordan Henderson by Wilmar Barrios, who was only given a yellow card, and even a Colombia assistant got involved as he barged into Raheem Sterling as the England man left the pitch at half-time, with TV camera capturing a wry smile from the coach.
Geiger actually did well to keep a lid on a game which, under another ref, could have descended into madness.
Allardyce, though, believes the referee was too lenient towards the ‘outrageous’ behaviour, and said the much-derided VAR system has not been the biggest problem at the World Cup – it’s the officials using it.
“It was a joke, there’s no doubt about that,” the former England boss said on Wednesday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast as he reacted to the Three Lions’ last-16 win.
“At least they got the penalty right with the tugging and pulling in the box, but again it’s not VAR it’s the referee’s decision which is the problem.
“It’s not a problem with the system, it’s a problem with the referees using the system.
“I have to say I have never seen a tournament where the refs are being so lenient.
“Some of the stuff the players are getting away with is outrageous.”
World Cup latest on marvelbet369.com
Join talkSPORT for LIVE commentary of England v Sweden in the World Cup quarter-finals – Saturday, July 7: KICK-OFF 3PM BST