'VAR Should've Given Pen For Ngezana Handball'

A former referee from Romania has insisted that VAR was wrong not to award a penalty for Siyabonga Ngezana's handball during FCSB's 2-1 win this past weekend.

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On Sunday, FCSB claimed bragging rights in the latest iteration of the Eternal Derby when they thwarted Dinamo Bucure?ti. However, the outcome could have been different had a spot-kick been awarded for the Bafana Bafana star's foul in the 34th minute of the match.

Former referee and current CFR Cluj president Cristi Balaj believes that a penalty should have been awarded but does not hold the on-field official accountable, instead blaming those in the VAR offices.

"Regarding the much-discussed phase of the match between FCSB and Dinamo, during the match it may be difficult to see the crime committed by the FCSB player. At normal speed, it is possible that Istvan Kovacs did not even see it," Balaj started off by telling FANATIK.

"But the mandatory VAR, I repeat, mandatory, had to intervene. There is no such thing. How can you say that the VAR did not report this phase to Istvan Kovacs?

"Ngezana is making a volley there. It is obvious to everyone. He raises his hand in a position where he had nothing to look for. First, he makes a handshake, and then the ball hits the Dinamo striker's head.

"So VAR should have intervened and drawn Kovacs' attention to the fact that it was a more than questionable phase. In my opinion, it was an indisputable handball and a penalty kick in favour of Dinamo.

"As for the second yellow card, it is interpretable, it is up to the referee, Istvan Kovacs. He had to decide. But Kovacs, if he was not called to VAR, could not, of course, intervene.

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"If no such phase is complained about and is not reported by VAR, then what can we talk about? This is how championships are won... Another missed penalty here, two more points won there... And, you know how it is, it adds up, it adds up, and in the end, the champion is decided."

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