Mbappé Denied Penalty in VAR Controversy During France vs Senegal World Cup Match
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I opener on June 16 in New York, France faced Senegal when Kylian Mbappé was fouled by Sadio Mané in the penalty area. Referee Alireza Faghani initially waved play on, then reviewed the incident via VAR but controversially awarded a goal kick, stating Mbappé initiated contact. The decision sparked widespread criticism from analysts and former referees. Despite the controversy, France won 2-0 or 3-1, with Mbappé later scoring to equal France’s all-time goal record.
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Kylian Mbappe's threat to World Cup referee spotted by lip reader after controversy
During France's 2026 World Cup opener against Senegal, Kylian Mbappe was denied a penalty after a collision with Sadio Mane. Referee Alireza Faghani reviewed VAR but upheld his decision, awarding a goal kick instead. A professional lip reader revealed Mbappe told the referee, 'Hey, I'ma go and watch it,' after Faghani explained the contact. Despite the controversy, Mbappe scored twice, including a long-range goal, leading France to a 3-1 victory. The win positions France as a tournament frontrunner after Spain's draw with Cape Verde.
Mirror - FootballWorld Cup 2026: Controversy Over Penalty Not Given to Kylian Mbappé in France vs Senegal
During the 58th minute of the France vs Senegal 2026 World Cup qualifier, Kylian Mbappé went down in the penalty area after a challenge from Sadio Mané. Referee Alireza Faghani initially signaled a goal kick, and after VAR review, the decision was upheld. The referee explained over the stadium microphone that 'the attacker initiates the contact,' and analysts agreed the contact was too slight to warrant a penalty. Despite the controversy, Mbappé responded by scoring a brace in the 66th and 90+6 minutes, helping France secure a 3-1 victory. The article discusses the refereeing decision and Mbappé's subsequent performance.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertFrance-Senegal: World Referees Stunned by Non-Penalty Call on Mbappé
France defeated Senegal 3-1 in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a brace. However, a controversial moment occurred when Mbappé went down in the penalty area after a tackle by Sadio Mané, but referee Alireza Faghani did not award a penalty after a VAR review. The decision sparked widespread criticism from top referees, including Darren Cann and Alan Shearer, who called it an 'obvious penalty' and 'bizarre.' France manager Didier Deschamps expressed disagreement but acknowledged the referee's authority. The non-call ultimately did not affect the outcome, as France won comfortably.
Home Football - actualitésReferee Expert: Mbappe's Fall Was Natural, Referee Discretion Justifies No Penalty
In the first round of Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France defeated Senegal 3-1 but a controversial penalty decision involving Kylian Mbappe and Sadio Mane dominated post-match discussion. In the second half, Mbappe drove into the box and fell after contact with Mane, but referee Alireza Faghani, despite VAR review, stood by his decision not to award a penalty. Spanish referee expert Iturralde Gonzalez analyzed the call on Cadena SER, saying Mane made slight contact but Mbappe's fall was natural and the referee has discretion on borderline calls, describing it as a 50-50 decision. France eventually secured victory thanks to a brace from Mbappe and a goal from Barcola.
虎扑 - 足球Thomas Müller Slams Referee as Scandalous After Penalty Denied to France in World Cup Win Over Senegal
In the 2026 World Cup opener for France, a controversial refereeing decision by Iranian referee Alireza Faghani marred France's 3-1 victory over Senegal. In the 58th minute, Kylian Mbappé was brought down by Sadio Mané in the penalty area. After a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, Faghani checked the monitor but then made a misleading gesture and unclear announcement, initially leading many French fans and players to think a penalty had been awarded. However, he ultimately awarded a goal kick to Senegal. Longtime German player Thomas Müller, serving as an expert on MagentaTV, called the decision 'scandalous' and 'an absolute mystery.' Former Bundesliga referee Patrick Ittrich also criticized the call, stating it was a clear foul. Similar confusion occurred in the earlier World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa, where Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio struggled to communicate his red-card decision after VAR review.
Nachrichten - WELTThomas Müller Calls Referee Decision 'Scandalous' During World Cup Match
During the 2026 World Cup opening match between France and Senegal, referee Alireza Faghani did not award a penalty after Kylian Mbappé went down in the box following a tackle by Sadio Mané. Despite a VAR review, no penalty was given, which angered former German national player Thomas Müller. Müller described the decision as 'scandalous' and 'an absolute mystery,' arguing that Mané cut off Mbappé's path and made clear contact. Mats Hummels and referee expert Patrick Ittrich agreed it was a clear penalty. France went on to win 3-1, with Mbappé scoring twice.
BILD - SportFrance-Senegal: Sadio Mané's Controversial Tackle on Mbappé Not Given as Penalty
During the 2026 World Cup match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026, a controversial incident occurred in the 58th minute when Senegal's Sadio Mané tackled France's Kylian Mbappé inside the penalty area. The Australian referee initially signaled a corner kick, but after VAR review, he changed his decision to a goal kick, sparking debate. French players and coach Didier Deschamps protested, arguing Mané made contact with Mbappé. Analyst Emmanuel Petit noted the contact was light but unbalanced Mbappé, though he added that Mbappé 'ran into the foot.' Despite the controversy, Mbappé later scored to equal France's all-time goal-scoring record, and France won the match 3-1.
Home Football - actualitésVAR decision not to award penalty to Mbappe stuns referees and pundits
During a 2026 World Cup group stage match between France and Senegal, a controversial VAR decision left the world's best referees dumbfounded. In the 58th minute, France forward Kylian Mbappe went down in the penalty area after a challenge by Sadio Mane. Referee Alireza Faghani reviewed the incident at the pitchside monitor and initially appeared to point to the penalty spot, but instead signaled for a goal-kick, explaining that Mbappe had initiated the contact. Former World Cup assistant referee Darren Cann said his phone 'blew up' with messages from top referees who could not understand the decision. Pundits Pat Nevin and Alan Shearer called it 'rubbish' and 'bizarre.' France manager Didier Deschamps also believed a penalty should have been awarded. The decision did not affect the outcome, as France won 3-1, with Mbappe scoring twice to become France's all-time leading scorer and top World Cup scorer.
BBC SportVAR Controversy: Mbappe Penalty Claim Rejected in France vs Senegal World Cup Match
During a 2026 World Cup group stage match between France and Senegal, a controversial VAR decision occurred in the 58th minute when France forward Kylian Mbappe went down under a challenge from Senegal's Sadio Mane inside the penalty area. Referee Alireza Faghani reviewed the incident at the pitchside monitor but instead of awarding a penalty, he ruled that Mbappe had initiated the contact and gave a goal kick. The decision drew widespread criticism from former referees and football pundits, including 2010 World Cup final assistant referee Darren Cann and former England captain Alan Shearer, who called it 'bizarre' and 'nonsensical.' Despite the controversy, France won the match 3-1, with Mbappe scoring two goals to become France's all-time leading scorer and the country's top World Cup goal scorer.
BBC SportFormer Referee Says Mbappe Should Have Been Awarded Penalty in France-Senegal Match
During a friendly match between France and Senegal, Kylian Mbappe went down in the penalty area after contact with Sadio Mane. Australian referee Alireza Faghani initially did not award a penalty and upheld his decision after a VAR review. Former international referee Said Ennjimi, now a consultant for L'Equipe, stated that in his opinion it was a clear penalty because Mane was late in his tackle and made contact with Mbappe's leg, causing him to lose balance. Ennjimi acknowledged that referees have discretion but believed Mbappe was in a natural position. The decision did not affect the outcome as France won 3-1.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu2026 World Cup: Controversial Penalty Not Awarded to France Against Senegal
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between France and Senegal, a controversial refereeing decision occurred around the hour mark. French star Kylian Mbappé was brought down inside the Senegalese penalty area by a tackle from Sadio Mané. At full speed, the incident appeared to be a clear penalty. However, referee Alireza Faghani immediately waved play on without consulting the VAR monitor. Despite video replays showing clear contact on Mbappé's left leg, the referee upheld his initial decision, leaving the French coaching staff in disbelief. The article highlights the significant impact of the non-call, which sparked debate among fans and analysts. France ultimately won the match 2-0, but the penalty incident remains a major talking point.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertKylian Mbappe Denied Penalty in VAR Controversy During France vs. Senegal World Cup Opener
During France's 2026 World Cup Group I opener against Senegal in New York, Kylian Mbappe was controversially denied a penalty after contact from Sadio Mane. Referee Alireza Faghani initially waved play on, then reviewed the incident via VAR but upheld his decision, stating Mbappe had 'initiated contact'. BBC commentators including Alan Shearer and former referee Darren Cann strongly criticized the call, calling it a clear penalty. Despite the controversy, Mbappe later scored the opening goal from a Michael Olise assist. The match, held at the New York New Jersey Stadium, saw Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy take a goal kick instead of a penalty being awarded.
Mirror - FootballKylian Mbappe Denied Penalty in VAR Controversy During France vs Senegal World Cup Opener
During France's 2026 World Cup opener against Senegal, Kylian Mbappe was controversially denied a penalty after appearing to be fouled by Sadio Mane in the box. Referee Alireza Faghani initially waved away appeals, then reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor following VAR intervention. BBC commentator and former referee Darren Cann expressed surprise, stating there was no contact with the ball and Mbappe was brought down. The decision sparked debate among commentators and fans, with many considering it a clear penalty. The match took place on June 16, 2026, and the article is from Mirror Football, a UK sports outlet.
Mirror - FootballFrance vs Senegal: Referee Sparks Scandal by Denying Penalty After VAR Review
During a France vs Senegal match approaching the hour mark, Kylian Mbappé was brought down in the penalty box by Sadio Mané. The referee reviewed the incident on the VAR screen, then gestured toward the penalty spot, confusing players and spectators, but ultimately awarded a goal kick instead of a penalty. The decision was widely criticized as a scandal by French media outlet RMC Sport and the After Foot program, with the referee accused of bluffing. The article highlights the confusion and controversy surrounding the non-call.
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