If there hasn’t been a lack of controversy since the start of the World Cup, arbitration has so far escaped criticism. The XXL stoppage times added by the referees are not surprising, but the officials are only applying the orders of Fifa leaders Gianni Infantino at the top. The match between Belgium and Canada on Wednesday saw the first real referee dispute.

After the Zambian Janny Sikazwe logically awarded a penalty for the Canadians after a handball by Yannick Ferreira Carrasco thanks to VAR intervention in the 9th minute, the Zambian Janny Sikazwe made his first gross error a few minutes later by not calling off another foul the Red Devils in the area, this time committed by Jan Vertonghen on Tajon Buchanan. The Zambian referee preferred to signal an offside, which was no reason as it was Eden Hazard who missed a back pass that put the Canadians back in the game.

Canada should have gotten a second penalty

Speaking to Fox Sports, former referee Mark Clattenburg was formal: “It was a human error by VAR and Canada should have gotten a second penalty”, he assured. And the Canadians could have had it worse when Axel Vitsel brought down Richie Laryea just before the break for a penalty there too. But once again, the VAR didn’t flinch.

These mistakes will not improve Janny Sikazwe’s rating. The Zambian made history at the last CAN during the Tunisia-Mali game. He blew the whistle for the end of the game in the 85th minute before realizing his mistake, but finally sent the two teams into the cabin in the 89th minute, angering the Tunisians. In his defence, Janny Sikazwe had claimed sunstroke.