World Cup 2022: Ronaldo’s Penalty Against Ghana Is Wrong – Retired EPL Referee Mike Dean Insists

Mike Dean has insisted that the penalty awarded to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s national team in their opener game against Ghana is wrong.

American referee Ismail Elfath awarded a dubious Ronaldo a penalty without consulting the Video Assistant referee after Mohammed Salisu shoved the ball off the feet of the Portugal captain.

And according to the former English Premier League referee, before awarding Ronaldo a penalty, the official in the game should have consulted the VAR.

Mike Dean said this during his analysis of the game.

“The defender clearly plays the ball. ‘Ronaldo then touches the back of the defender, goes down, instigated contact.

“It’s not the referee’s fault – he’s given the decision on the field of play. The VAR, in my opinion, should have got involved and invited the referee over to have a look at it.

“It’s scary, I have to say. I’m just astounded. I like to back referees all the time but you can’t support stuff like that. You can’t defend the indefensible.

“It should have been overturned. He should have gone to the screen, he should have looked at it. There may have been some technical glitch that we don’t know about. I just can’t understand why he wasn’t sent to the screen. 100 per cent it’s wrong.”