Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has said there is no excuse for officiating errors after ten years of VAR technology, insisting Ghana should already be qualified with six points from their first two Group L matches.
Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Ghana’s final group game against Croatia, Queiroz said the team were denied crucial points in their 0-0 draw with England on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium due to missed penalty calls.
“Your question is a very interesting question because in the game I listen many times when these incidents happen,” he said. “They come to me. They used to say, your players don’t even protest. If they protest they get yellow cards. So, we don’t know where we should stand.”
“The fact is we should be qualified with six points in this moment,” Queiroz added. “Because we have a good rate scoring penalties and we believe that if the penalties happen, we should be qualified already.”
He stressed that Croatia still deserve full respect and didn’t want to dwell on past games, but said the issue belongs “on the hands of FIFA.”
Queiroz then turned his fire on VAR’s overall performance since its introduction.
“VAR was born in 2016. 2018 was the first World Cup. Ten years is gone,” he said. “There is no excuse, no reason for VAR not to be better than this. No excuse.”
“So, it’s time for FIFA authorities to review what has been happening behind the scenes. And I don’t want to extend my comments. But one thing is clear.”
“When VAR comes it was to help the referees to referee and make good decisions. And we hope that will be better in the next few years.”
The Ghana coach said players are left confused by inconsistent application. “Your players don’t even protest. If they protest they get yellow cards. So, we don’t know where we should stand.”
Queiroz said Saturday’s focus must be solely on the pitch. “Tomorrow, we have one game. We’re going to play the best we can, fight as much as possible to get the best result,” he said. “Whatever happens outside the game is not part of our business.”
