Harry Maguire was left seething at how Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka were treated during England’s World Cup exit to France on Saturday.
The Manchester United defender slammed referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio for how he treated the England captain and Saka during the game.
In the build-up to France’s opening goal, which was scored by Aurélien Tchouaméni, there were cries that Saka was fouled in the build-up.
But the on-field referee didn’t give that foul, nor did VAR overturn it because it was seemingly too far back.
As the game wore on, France couldn’t handle the Arsenal man, yet free-kicks weren’t given towards the player, which was annoying the England players.
Then Kane, before his first penalty, was fouled on the edge of the area, but nothing was given – both penalties that were awarded weren’t given by the on-field referee, but with VAR having to intervene and Maguire just wasn’t happy, as he told beIN SPORTS (10/12/22 at 9:45 pm).
“I think the referee’s decision-making throughout the game was really poor,” said Maguire. “As players, we stand here and we get criticised.
“It will be nice to see if he comes out and say if he’s had a good game or not because there were so many decisions in that first half where they made five or six early fouls.
“I think H (Kane) was outside of the box. But it was a clear foul. He didn’t give the penalty in the first half. With Bukayo (Saka), it was a clear foul leading up to their first goal. Big moments and big decisions. You expect to get some right, but unfortunately, he (the referee) didn’t get any.”
OFFICIATING A DISGRACE
It was a pathetic refereeing performance from Wilton Pereira Sampaio and England have every right to be annoyed with the Brazilian.
Saka was kicked left, right and centre time and time again, yet for most of the time, he was waving play on and he wasn’t pushing the opposing players.
Yes, France were ruthless when it mattered most, no more so than with Olivier Giroud, but they were helped by the on-field referee, for sure.
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