Shearer shakes head and explodes in Argentina row as Lineker demands rule change

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Alan Shearer was fuming that Mostafa Ziko's initial goal for

Egypt

against Argentina was disallowed on Tuesday evening, admitting "no wonder there are so many theories" and claims of the

World Cup

being rigged. The former England star was backed by

Gary Lineker

as he slammed the controversial VAR calls in the match.

The

Newcastle United

legend was joined by

Lineker

,

Micah Richards

and

Joe Cole

on the latest instalment of The Rest Is

Football

, as they discussed the round of 16 clash in Atlanta. Yasser Ibrahim gave the African nation the lead early in the first half, before Ziko thought he had doubled their advantage midway through the second half with a stunning goal.

Egypt dispossessed Argentina deep in their own-half, before Haissem Hassan ran the length of the pitch in remarkable fashion, taking on two Argentina players before finding

Mohamed Salah

. Salah then threaded a perfect pass to find Ziko in the box, with the No. 11 slotting past

Emi Martinez

.

However, the goal was ultimately ruled out by

VAR

, citing a foul on Lisandro Martinez before the Egyptian breakaway. It's a decision that was instantly lambasted by fans watching around the world, as well as

Egypt, who have since made a furious complaint to FIFA

Shearer pulled no punches as he gave his opinion, even clashing with Richards during a heated debate and seen shaking his head at one point.

He said: "The reason why, I guess, so many people will get angry is because, as much as I don't think the Salah incident in the penalty box was a penalty, as much as I don't think the shirt pull in the box was a penalty, that same logic applies for that free-kick which was given.

"So, if you're going to give that one, then there's a huge argument to say well one of those has to be...If you're giving that as a foul, you're actually going 110 yards back, and saying, 'Sorry that was a foul, we're going to disallow one of the best goals of the tournament.'

"I think, and I can say what I want on here; I think it's utter and complete b***cks. I really do. No wonder there's so many theories about, 'It stinks.'

"You've got the top four in the

world

rankings, England,

France

Spain

Argentina

. If they win their group, then it's guaranteed they can't meet each other until a semi-final. You've got interference from presidents making calls, and then you get that in that game because of Argentina.

"You think, 'No wonder.' You can't blame people for coming up with these theories, can you?"

When Richards suggested that it was a foul on Martinez, Shearer erupted: "No, Micah, the referee didn't give it. It was never, ever enough to say, 'Sorry, that is a clear and obvious foul.'"

When Richards argued that as soon as it went to VAR the decision was made, Shearer replied: "Of course it was, but it's not that much of a howler to say, 'We're going to go 110 yards further back and we're going to rule it out.' They're saying that's a complete and utter foul.

"The referee didn't give it. So the referees earlier on in the tournament we not giving those fouls. I did an early game when

[Kylian] Mbappe

was fouled, it was a clear penalty.

"The referee went to the screen and said, 'No, I'm sticking with my decision; I'm not giving that.' Now you compare that to what was given today. Absolutely disgraceful."

Lineker then opined that the problem isn't the people in charge of VAR, but the system itself as he called for the

technology

to be completely scrapped. He said: "I'm totally with you, Alan, but the problem is we will never, ever get consistency from VAR because they change their tune.

"They weren't involved much at the start of the tournament, then they want to get involved, now they're being more involved, now they'll probably be less involved because there'll be a bit of a stink about this one. The problem is not necessarily all of the people doing VAR, the problem is VAR itself."

He added: "That's where the problem with VAR is, this thing about, 'Is it enough of a foul?' If they just changed it and said it's either a foul or not, but at the moment they're still using this thing - it has to be enough of a turnover.

"Therefore, it will always be a nightmare. The only way out of this, as I've said a million times, is an appeal system which will eventually come, because we can't carry on as it is."

While Ziko did manage to score a second goal for Egypt later, Argentina ultimately ran out 3-2 winners thanks to a late resurgence. They will now take on

Switzerland

in the quarter-finals of the tournament on Sunday, July 12, in Kansas City.

Egypt, meanwhile, have immediately filed a complaint to FIFA over the dramatic turn of events. It is claimed that the nation are seeking an explanation for the officials' decision, as well as demanding an investigation into what they deem to be controversial rulings.

They have also formally requested that the French team who oversaw their defeat - including referee Francois Letexier - to be withdrawn from the rest of the tournament.