Ex-referee Marić slams VAR for penalty call in Croatia's World Cup exit

Former international referee Bruno Marić has voiced strong criticism regarding a VAR decision that awarded Portugal a penalty against Croatia in their World Cup Round of 16 match. Croatia's World Cup journey ended with a 2-1 defeat to Portugal, a game marred by numerous contentious calls, including disallowed goals for both Cristiano Ronaldo and Croatia's Petar Sučić and Joško Gvardiol.

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I cannot reconcile myself with the fact that VAR reacted. I am angry. To be clear, and loud and clear – there was no need for VAR to call the referee.

The pivotal penalty incident occurred after a challenge between Nikola Vlašić and Gabri Veiga in the Croatian penalty area. Initially, Norwegian referee Espen Eskås did not award a penalty, but a VAR review prompted him to change his decision, deeming Vlašić's challenge a foul that prevented Veiga from continuing the play. Ronaldo converted the penalty to equalize at 1-1.

Speaking on HRT's "Americana" program the day after the match, Marić argued that the VAR intervention was unnecessary. "Analyzing the criteria for judging contacts in the penalty area after a stoppage or corner, this situation was not in line with the VAR room's decision to call the referee for a review," Marić stated. He felt the on-field referee had full control and had already decided against a penalty.

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Analyzing the criteria for judging contacts in the penalty area after a stoppage or corner, this situation was not in line with the VAR room's decision to call the referee for a review.

Marić expressed frustration, particularly with the VAR room's decision, suggesting the on-field referee's initial call was correct. "Although the narrative is that the referee was very bad for us, this decision was primarily the responsibility of the VAR room because he did not consider it a penalty," he said. He concluded, "I cannot reconcile myself with the fact that VAR reacted. I am angry. To be clear, and loud and clear – there was no need for VAR to call the referee."

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I had the impression that the referee had complete control over that situation and made the decision that there was no penalty.

Marić also pointed to inconsistencies in VAR application throughout the World Cup, suggesting a different criterion was used in this instance. He believes the VAR room's decision was not consistent with how similar situations were handled earlier in the tournament, leading him to feel that the application of rules was not uniform.

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I cannot get away from the impression that a different criterion was applied here.