BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsFootball 2026BusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthSportAudioVideoLiveMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsFootball 2026BusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthSportAudioVideoLiveClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeWorld CupFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballOlympic SportsRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandNews FeedsHelp & FAQsFIFA World CupGroups & ScheduleScores & FixturesTablesFollow Your TeamTop Scorers'Clear red' for Bosnia or 'wins the ball'? BBC pundits disagreeTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played And there was a lively debate in the BBC studio following Canada's 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina, a result that ensured the co-hosts avoided defeat for the first time in seven World Cup matches. But should Canada's task have been made easier by Bosnia being reduced to 10 men in the second half? One of the talking points came four minutes into the second half, with Bosnia 1-0 ahead. A long ball was played forward and Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj leapt and punched the ball, but then on the follow-through his fists clattered into the head of Canada striker Tani Oluwaseyi. Former England captain Wayne Rooney felt Vasilj should have been sent off, while ex-Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said Argentine referee Facundo Tello made the right decision to take no action - no penalty, no red card. An offside was given, so there would not have been a penalty given anyway, although Vasilj could still have been dismissed. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj collides with Canada striker Tani Oluwaseyi early in the second half Cann, who was an assistant referee in the 2014 World Cup final, said: "First of all, offside was given, but even without the offside in my opinion it is not a penalty. It is not a red card. "The goalkeeper clearly plays the ball first and there's inevitable contact after that, so it is not serious foul play. The keeper clearly wins the ball and that for me is clearly not a red card." This is what the rules say: "A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play. "Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play." This is what Rooney said: "It is a red card. We have seen it before when players have gone through, and the whistle has gone, and it is a red card. "It is a very dangerous play. I know he wins the ball, but the follow-through, he hits him in the temple. That is the worst place to be hit. "He [Oluwaseyi] could get knocked out. He might come back in a week's time and have delayed concussion. For me, that is a clear red card. "I don't think it is the first time we [himself and Darren Cann] have disagreed. "When you see players win the ball, it is with reasonable force. They follow-through and then they go and get a red card, so it is the same, but with his hands. It is easier to move your hands back than it is with your leg." Former France forward Olivier Giroud, another member of the BBC team, was seeing both sides. He said: "As a striker, I would have been frustrated to not get a penalty on that one. "On the other hand, I understand what Darren Cann says. You hit the ball first and it is hard for him to get his hands off the striker's head." So now it is your turn to act as the referee and take part in a vote. Should it have been a red card or not? Have your say. What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFootballFIFA World Cup 2026CanadaBosnia-HerzegovinaMore on this storyThree red cards - are referees getting tough at this World Cup? ShortsPreviousNext0:58Is this the most iconic World Cup watch party? 00:00:58, play videoIs this the most iconic World Cup watch party?0:34Wayne and Olivier are the best of friends now... 00:00:34, play videoWayne and Olivier are the best of friends now...1:00First day at work vibes for Olivier Giroud. 00:01:00, play videoFirst day at work vibes for Olivier Giroud0:20Niagara Falls reacts to Canada's first goal at 2026 World Cup. 00:00:20, play videoNiagara Falls reacts to Canada's first goal at 2026 World Cup0:27A World Cup winner, player & Micah! 00:00:27, play videoA World Cup winner, player & Micah!Top storiesLive. Follow opening ceremony before USA start World Cup campaign against Paraguay 'Clear red' for Bosnia or 'wins the ball'? BBC pundits disagree Hit series based on a bestselling novel returns with a new mystery The story behind the birth of the FIFA '94 computer game Watch every epic episode of Birmingham's notorious crime family 'Oh it's another!' England's Kemp takes three wickets in four balls Video'Oh it's another!' England's Kemp takes three wickets in four balls Is Shankland finally the striker Scotland have been waiting for? 'No-one knows it's on' - NBA Finals feed US World Cup apathy Messi, Maradona or Pele? Ranking the top 10 World Cup legends Who will win the World Cup? BBC pundits make their predictions 'In emergency, break glass' - England seek stability in Root 'Mazadona', 'Einstein', 'The Ant' - 20 new players to watch at the 2026 World Cup From dazzling winger to veteran who barely runs - the evolution of Messi Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Original Source: BBC Sport
0 Comments