Why VAR denied England a penalty vs DR Congo

England were controversially denied a penalty against DR Congo (Getty)

Harry Kane

was furious after he was denied a penalty during

England

’s

World Cup

round-of-32 match against DR Congo on Wednesday.

Thomas Tuchel

’s side went a goal down after just seven minutes following Brian Cipenga’s strike and had struggled to find a way past a resilient DR Congo defence throughout the first half.

However, England were aggrieved after Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh denied a huge penalty shout in the 43rd minute after Harry Kane was clipped by DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

Makhadmeh initially made a simulation gesture after Kane was brought down and awarded DR Congo a free kick.

VAR reviewed the incident and replays showed that Kane had got to the ball first before his foot was touched by Mpasi.

However, VAR appeared to agree with Makhadmeh’s decision that Kane was already on his way down after he stumbled just before he was clipped by the DR Congo goalkeeper, meaning that the referee was deemed not to have made a clear and obvious error.

Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh suggested that Harry Kane had initiated contact from the DR Congo goalkeeper (EPA)

Former England captain,

Wayne Rooney

, agreed with the decision not to award a penalty as he pointed out that Kane was already on his way down before he was caught by Mpasi.

‘I just think he trips himself a little bit then jumps into the goalkeeper a little bit,’ Rooney told the

BBC

.

‘Yes, there is contact but I just think just by that little trip of himself and jumping into him with two feet I just think it’s the right decision.

‘He stubs his toe into the ground, his right foot, and then jumps into the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper has rushed out and has left himself in a position where he could give a penalty but I just think it looks like he’s dived into him.

‘So, I think it’s probably not a penalty.’

Frustration for England😡

England were left in disbelief after being denied a penalty from this challenge on Harry Kane by Lionel Mpasi.

pic.twitter.com/VdLXwn4Fjl

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport)

July 1, 2026

Former

Premier League

referee Graham Scott told The Athletic: ‘Harry Kane only has himself to blame, by dragging his left foot into the onrushing goalkeeper, he created doubt in the referee’s mind, and his penalty claim was waved away.

‘On first viewing, England fans, including me, were no doubt screaming ‘penalty’ at their TV screens, and many referees would have agreed.

‘There is a good case for one, as goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi undoubtedly makes significant contact with Kane, and there is no way the VAR would have recommended a review had Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh pointed to the spot.

‘However, Kane goes to great lengths to ensure that contact occurs, plants both feet on the ground and falls theatrically – all clues to the referee that the England striker was having him on. Fair play to Makhadmeh for standing strong.

‘Had Kane carried on running as normal, he may have been brought down anyway – and earned the penalty he craved – or he might have reached the ball and rolled it into the empty net. I wish he had.’

However, not everyone agrees as former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who took charge of the Euro 2016 final, insisted that Makhadmeh was wrong to suggest that Kane was guilty of simulation.

‘My first impression was as Kane is going towards the goalkeeper, the only thing that the referee has to look at is does the goalkeeper go into the path of Harry Kane? Yes, he does,’ Clattenburg told Fox Sports.

‘That is not a simulation. There is a clear contact.

FIFA

’s instructions to the referee is when there is a contact, it must be certainly not a simulation.

‘For me, I would rather the referee have a look at this again to give a penalty kick.’

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Meanwhile, former Premier League assistant, Darren Cann, also feels England should have been given a penalty.

‘This is so difficult, there are four of us here and two think it is a penalty and two think it is not a penalty,’ Cann told the BBC.

‘So therefore it is not clear and obvious. There’s a small touch on Harry Kane’s ankle and as Joe [Hart] says, you’d be expecting to give away a penalty. From the referee’s angle you can see Kane puts his two feet together stumbles and [from the angle from behind] it doesn’t look to be much of a penalty, and therein lies the difference. But for me, I think that’s a penalty.’

Former England goalkeeper, Joe Hart, also admits he would have expected a penalty to have been given against him if he was in that situation.

‘My heart here, as soon as I miss that ball and I feel Harry Kane’s contact, I’m getting ready [for a penalty],’ Hart told the BBC.

‘If I’ve got it written on my water bottle, I’m working out where Harry Kane’s next penalty is going to be.

‘He will be absolutely delighted when he looks up and sees the referee not giving this, because I would expect that to be given against me.’

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