Rooney says England should've had penalty vs Ghana in 0-0 World Cup draw
England legend Wayne Rooney stated referee should have awarded a penalty when Ezri Konsa fouled Ghana's Prince Adu in the 79th minute of their 0-0 World Cup draw on June 23, 2026. Rooney told BBC's Match of the Day Konsa 'gets the man, not the ball' with feet off the floor inside the penalty area. VAR did not intervene, letting England avoid a potential game-changing call.
The non-call preserved England's unbeaten tournament record but left Ghana frustrated despite dominating possession. For West African fans, especially Nigerians who view Ghana as a key regional rival, this incident fuels concerns about inconsistent officiating against African teams in major tournaments. Ghana's failure to convert possession into chances mirrors frustrations seen with other African sides at World Cups.
With VAR inconsistency sparking debate, should CAF push for better referee training or more African officials at FIFA tournaments to ensure fair calls that could alter World Cup fortunes for teams like Nigeria?