World Cup: Former FIFA ref Keith Hackett on contentious officiating

Key Points:

• Former PGMOL head provides expert analysis on refereeing performances at the World Cup, highlighting key decisions and controversies in various matches.
• Brazil vs Japan saw good flow and appropriate disciplinary actions, while Germany vs Paraguay featured a controversial disallowed goal and missed red card for Jamal Musiala, drawing criticism.
• Matches like Netherlands vs Morocco and Ivory Coast vs Norway were praised for entertaining play and effective refereeing, whereas Paraguay vs France was marred by poor officiating and failure to control spoiling tactics.
• VAR interventions were both praised and questioned, notably in Belgium vs Senegal where a penalty decision was deemed incorrect, and USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina where a red card was issued after video review.
• Additional insights include challenges posed by Mexico City's altitude for England's upcoming match, differing UEFA and FIFA rules on mouth-covering by players, and a naming conflict between PGMOL's new title "Pro Ref" and a US refereeing organisation.