Paraguay coach calls VAR penalty 'a VAR penalty' after World Cup exit

Paraguay's World Cup journey ended on a bitter note after a controversial penalty, awarded following a VAR review, allowed France to secure a 1-0 victory. Albirroja manager Gustavo Alfaro voiced his disappointment, particularly with the referee's decision-making process.

Alfaro revealed that the on-field referee's initial assessment was that the French player had dived. However, after consulting the VAR monitor, the decision was overturned to a penalty. "The referee's first impression was that the player had thrown himself down, that the player had thrown himself down looking for contact, as if he had tripped," Alfaro explained. "That is the answer he gives first, and then, at the call of VAR, VAR ratifies the sanction that had been called. It is a VAR penalty, it is a VAR penalty."

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The referee's first impression was that the player had thrown himself down, that the player had thrown himself down looking for contact, as if he had tripped. That is the answer he gives first, and then, at the call of VAR, VAR ratifies the sanction that had been called. It is a VAR penalty, it is a VAR penalty.

Despite his frustration, the coach analyzed the play, noting the skill of French attacker Désiré Doué. "Obviously, I will look at it more deeply, that's why I don't want to dwell on it too much, but the sensation I get from the perspective I'm looking at the play... Obviously, Désiré Doué in the air, because he is a very skillful player, who turns his waist, who resolves a lot in a small space," Alfaro commented.

He also sympathized with his defender, Diego Gómez, highlighting the difficulty of avoiding contact in such tight situations within the penalty area. "The sensation I have is that the leg was there, it is very difficult to withdraw the leg. If one goes to clear the ball and finds the leg, then yes, I think it is a penalty. But these are VAR penalties, we can do nothing about it," he concluded with resignation.

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The sensation I have is that the leg was there, it is very difficult to withdraw the leg. If one goes to clear the ball and finds the leg, then yes, I think it is a penalty. But these are VAR penalties, we can do nothing about it.