‘One of worst decisions I’ve ever seen’ – Rooney on Digne handball

Wayne Rooney, the former England captain, has strongly criticized a recent officiating decision, labeling it one of the “worst decisions I’ve ever seen.” Fellow football pundit Alan Shearer shares this sentiment, suggesting that referees appear hesitant to make calls without the backing of VAR technology. This sentiment arose following an incident where Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne handled the ball within the penalty area, yet the officials opted to award a free-kick rather than a penalty. Both Rooney and Shearer believe this points to a broader issue of referees relying too heavily on the Video Assistant Referee system, potentially diminishing their confidence in making their own judgments on the field. The implication is that the “safety net of VAR” has created a climate where referees are reluctant to make decisive calls independently.