Argentina star in ‘borderline assault’ as England followers rage at World Cup VAR

On Jul 15, 2026

England fans were left furious at referee and VAR after Elliot Anderson was the victim of “borderline assault” during an early challenge

20:19, 15 Jul 2026Updated 20:27, 15 Jul 2026

Battle lines were quick to be drawn during England’s World Cup semi-final with Argentina in Atlanta – when an early challenge was described as “borderline assault”.

Argentina were furious they weren’t awarded a foul after a tackle on Lionel Messi – leading Enzo Fernandez to clatter into the back of Elliot Anderson, with the referee blowing up for an England free-kick.

“That’s an awful challenge. That’s a really bad challenge. This is getting tasty,” Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Enzo Fernandez has absolutely clattered into the back of him there.” While Guy Mowbray labelled it as “borderline assault”.

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Fernandez avoided any card, leading to the Argentine behaviour drawing fury on social media: “We’re less than 10 minutes and this does not look like it will go without a red card…”

“What a woefully inadequate referee for such a match. F****** absolute disgraceful appointment,” a second fumed. While a third said: “Argentina could take someone’s life on this pitch and the referee would wave play on…”

And another added: “Anderson’s been fouled three times, two of them have been called. No cards. We’re 6 minutes into the game!”

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There had been controversy surrounding the appointment of Ismail Elfath ahead of kick-off.

Originally from Morocco, Elfath moved to America as an 18-year-old after winning a US government-backed diversity visa lottery. He has reffed in Major League Soccer since 2012 and has twice won MLS referee of the year.

However, some football fans had questioned his credentials on a stage as big as the World Cup semi-final.

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This tournament, he has been the man in the middle for Japan’s clash with Netherlands and Uruguay’s loss to Spain in the group stage. He also refereed Norway’s shock win over Brazil in the round of 16.