- Harry Kane was booked for diving in the first-half of Euro 2024 qualifer
- Fans were left baffled by the decision to not award the striker a penalty
- England will struggle to win a trophy with Kalvin Phillips – It’s All Kicking Off
England fans were left dumbfounded by the decision to book Harry Kane for diving in Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta.
The Three Lions captain was shown a yellow card after going down under the challenge of Malta goalkeeper Henry Bonello in the 28th minute of the game at Wembley.
VAR did not ask referee Luis Godinho to review the decision and Kane was denied the chance to extend his lead as England’s record goal-scorer from 12 yards.
England were fans were left mystified by the decision of the Portuguese official.
One posted on X (formerly Twitter): ‘What’s the point in VAR. Most blatant penalty I’ve ever seen, which results in Kane being booked as a dive. VAR hasn’t even checked it. Hahaha this sport is done for.’
Harry Kane was shown a yellow card for diving in England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta
Portuguese referee Luis Godinho was sure of his decision and was not asked to review it by the VAR officials
Another added: ‘How in the living hell is that a dive?? The keeper clearly cleans out Kane, and he’s booked for simulation??????’
It was a sentiment widely shared among supporters online, who could not believe that Kane was shown a yellow card.
A fan said: ‘Never a dive there. That is a pen for Harry Kane’
Fans on X could not believe that Kane was booked instead of being awarded a penalty for the challenge
Another added: ‘HOW IS THAT A DIVE from harry kane’
Some fans indicated that Kane perhaps has a history of going down easily, but that this was not one of those occasions.
One posted: ‘As much as Kane can leave a leg “in”. That’s not a dive. That’s a pen’
Another agreed: ‘ Wouldn’t be much of a Harry Kane fan and he’s known for the odd dive but that was a blatant pen.’
