Ifeanyi Udeze: Ex-Super Eagles star slams VAR for awarding penalty vs Saudi Arabia

Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze has condemned the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, for awarding a penalty to Argentina which was converted by Lionel Messi in the South Americans’ 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.

Saudi Arabia shocked the world coming from a goal down to beat Lionel Messi led Argentina 2-1 in group opener.

While commenting on the match accused  VAR of inconsistencies, the ex-Super Eagles left back, insists England during were denied a penalty against Iran on Monday with the same scenario as Argentina.

“It was a very big shock how the game turned out,” Udeze told Brila FM.

“England were denied a clear penalty by the referee and VAR. However the referee and VAR didn’t hesitate to award a penalty to Argentina in a similar manner against Saudi Arabia.

“VAR is brought to the game to ensure there’s equity and to cut off errors but it should be consistent with the decisions. Messi’s goal was indeed an offside.”