SAMARA, Russia -- There have already been more
penalties awarded in the first 28 games of the
2018 World Cup in Russia than in the entire
tournament four years ago in Brazil.
Carlos Vela's penalty in Mexico's match with South
Korea on Saturday was the 14th spot kick awarded
so far, meaning there has now been a penalty once
every two games, with 11 of the penalties having
been successfully converted.
Belgium's Eden Hazard also scored from the spot
after the video assistant referee (VAR) advised that
he had been fouled in the penalty area during
Belgium's 5-2 win over Tunisia earlier on Saturday.
In Brazil four years ago, there were only 13
penalties in the entire tournament. The World Cup
record, set in 2002, stands at 18, with the current
pace of penalties being awarded in Russia on pace
to shatter that number.
The role of VAR goes a long way to explaining this
trend, with six penalties so far being awarded
following a video review and VAR has also
confirmed referees' decisions on the field on
several occasions.
A penalty was also disallowed in Brazil's win over
Costa Rica on Friday after VAR deemed there not to
have been a foul on Neymar.
FIFA's director of refereeing, Massimo Busacca,
said before the tournament that VAR would not be
perfect at the tournament and so it has proved, with
inconsistency in decision making frustrating teams
and fans alike.
Both Brazil and England felt that VAR should have
been used to review penalty decisions in their
opening fixtures, while Australia coach Bert van
Marwijk was left furious with the role the system
played in his team's loss to France.
"I hoped that maybe one time there will be a
referee [who is] very honest," the Dutchman told
reporters after that match. "The body language was
that he didn't know from my position. And then you
have to take a decision."
However, FIFA remain convinced that VAR has been
a success.
"Generally, it should be noted that FIFA is extremely
satisfied with the level of refereeing to date and the
successful implementation of the VAR system,
which on the whole has been positively accepted
and appreciated within our football community,"
said FIFA Media Relations Manager Giovanni Marti.
If the current rate of 0.5 penalties a game
continues, then the World Cup is on course for a
total of 32 spot kicks being awarded by the
tournament's end.

kwese.espn.com/football/fifa-world-cup/story/3540777/world-cup-on-pace-for-penalty-kick-record-with-use-of-video-assistant-referee?device=featurephone

Lol more PAR, penalty assistant referee

I love penalties

Na only penalty the VAR dey see??

THAT VAR IS THE WORST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO FOOTBALL IN THIS MODERN ERA...it kills the glamour,vibe and enthusiasm in the game

muhammed50:
Na only penalty the VAR dey see??

E tire me too bros

footballflaver:
I love penalties

Only if its not awarded against u

footballflaver:
I love penalties

Only if its not awarded against u