Wayne Rooney clashed heatedly with BBC refereeing expert Darren Cann during post-match analysis of Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina, after Rooney insisted Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj should have been sent off for a challenge that referee Facundo Tello chose not to punish.
The incident occurred during the Group B clash in Toronto, when Vasilj rushed out towards Canada forward Tani Oluwaseyi, with both of the goalkeeper’s fists making contact with the back of the striker’s head as Oluwaseyi went down. The referee did not deem the challenge serious foul play and took no further action.
During analysis on the BBC, Rooney argued strongly that the incident warranted both a penalty and a red card. “It’s a red card,” he said. “Even though he’s offside, we’ve seen it before where players have gone through as offside or the whistle has gone and a still a red card. It’s very dangerous play. I know he wins the ball, but he follows through. He hits him in the temple — that’s the worst place you can get hit. You can get knocked out. He might come back in a week’s time and have a delayed concussion. Look at his neck — that’s a clear red card.”
Rooney went further, drawing a comparison with how similar incidents are typically punished. “You see players win the ball and it’s with a reasonable force. They follow through and then they get a red card. It’s exactly the same but with his hands, it’s easier to move your hands back than it is your leg.”
Former Premier League official Cann disagreed firmly, explaining that an offside flag had already been raised before the contact occurred. “First of all, offside was given,” he said. “But even without the offside, in my opinion, it’s not a penalty, and it’s not a red card. The goalkeeper clearly plays the ball first and there’s just inevitable contact after that, so it’s not serious foul play. The keeper clearly wins the ball and for me, that’s clearly not a red card.” Responding directly to Rooney, Cann added: “Not in my opinion at all, Wayne. It’s a goalkeeper winning the ball, and there’s just inevitable contact. There’s no brutality in that challenge.”
Former France and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud offered a more balanced view from a forward’s perspective. “As a striker, I would have been frustrated to not get a penalty on that one,” he said. “On the other hand, I understand what Darren say. You hit the ball first and it is hard for him to get his hands off the striker’s head.”
