Written by KING BRONK
It’s become evident that Croatia has been on wrong side of some very dodgy officiating throughout its major tournament history. This fact once again reared its ugly head in the Croatia-Czech Republic game Friday. Croatia was once again victimized by what all observers felt was a dubious penalty award to the Czechs by referee Carlos del Cerro Grande when an ariel duel between Dejan Lovren and Patrik Schick resulted in Schick being bloodied by an accidental collision. The play continued before VAR intervened and controversially awarded the Czech’s a penalty kick. A bloody and bleeding Schick curiously was allowed to take the penalty, which he converted, giving the Czechs an early 1-0 lead. Considering he was bleeding, he should not be allowed on the field in that state. Thus, another player should have taken the spot kick, a rule the referee ignored. Nevertheless, criticism of awarding the penalty was led by soccer pundits Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand.
Gary Lineker tweeted: “Encouraging to see that VAR is equally as ludicrous elsewhere. Never a penalty.”
Rio Ferdinand commented on the play for the BBC: “Listen, this is another situation where without VAR it’s not a penalty. It doesn’t get looked at, it doesn’t get talked about.”
“The fact we have VAR now changes that massively and we have a penalty. I don’t think it should have been a penalty myself.”
“They both go up, both of their arms are in the air. One clatters the other, but I don’t think there’s any intention from Lovren there to go and hurt his opponent.”
Dejan Lovren voiced his displeasure by tweeting: “Joke of a penalty.”
This decision put Croatia down 1-0 at halftime. During the second half, Croatia reorganized itself and managed to tie the game with a brilliant goal from Ivan Perišić. Croatia continued to press for the winner and was awarded a free kick late in injury time. However, after taking the free kick, the referee oddly ended the game with twenty seconds still to play in added time with Croatia in a very dangerous position to perhaps score a winning goal.
Croatia’s soccer officiating expert Marijo Strahonja commented on HRT about this incident:
“We looked on in amazement. We saw Perišić who was stunned. The referee signaled the end of the match and did not give Croatia another chance. It is extremely unacceptable for an official in such a big competition to play finish the match like that. If the minimum compensation is three minutes, then the minimum compensation is three minutes, it can last longer, by never shorter.”
Needless to say, one can safely conclude that Croatia were extremely hard done by the officiating in this game. As a result, dodgy officiating has put Croatia’s chances of progressing in this tournament in major peril. Let’s hope it doesn’t result in an early exit.
If one desires a more detailed analysis of Croatia’s historical trouble with questionable officiating negatively impacting their tournament performance, here are some of my previous articles that you may enjoy which go into extensive detail chronicling this trend.
Ever since I was a kid I remeber my Dad always saying everybody has it in for Croatia. Nearly 30 years of watching Croatia play and continually get bullshit decisions I’m staring to believe him.
Refs should have to watch replays in real-speed, not slow motion.
Let’s face reality, this team has been bad for a long time now. Will they somehow turn things around for one game against Scotland? The answer is probably no. Dalic is already bitching about COVID as an excuse for losing. Dalic is gone after tomorrow.
for tomorrow’s game, regardless of who we have in our lineup…I think overall we have the quality to do well. The difference will be the work rate….we cannot run 12 kilometer’s less than Scotland like we did vs Czech’s.
I have read that Scotland are in better form (true) and that they are hungrier (true) but none of that equates to a guaranteed win!
We used to suffer with a lack of leadership, I believe Modric is a good leader and I also believe guys like Perisic, Rebic, Lovren, Vida…will make a statement for the game and the younger guys will rise to the occasion.
Prior to the Czech game I felt we could win. I think Czech’s have more quality than Scotland so as long as we should up to a fight…with our gloves on…I think we will get the result we need!
Our issues are our chemistry and mindset.
I don’t like Dalić’s complaining about COVID measures in Scotland, and how things aren’t fair for them.
This kind of attitude doesn’t instill a strong confident mindset.
The talent gap between us and them is huge. If our players are even a little motivated, then we will win by multiple goals.
Also, he’s been running this team like Argentina’s Sampaioli did before the World Cup.
Rotated through 30-40 different players, never sticking with a consistent group, and now trying to integrate brand new players and a new formation.
This hurt us in both of our group games so far… But you saw an improvement in the second half when we had familiar players, playing in their proper positions together.
I think if we just stick with a similar lineup and formation to what we had in second half of the Czech game… AND if Dalić can tone down the loser talk, then we win will tomorrow.
Excellent point and also Scotland like to press and will press our midfield even more than Czech did. I can’t see a path to victory
If you read my posts – I said we will get one or more calls that are blantantly against Croatia- there is an anti-Croatia feeling in soccer- some of it related to our supporters- we have a very loyal, passionate and crazy fan base more related to our nationalism than anything to do with soccer. Flares, swastika on a field, Prva Liga is always a mess with some sort of fix or scandal, Mamic,racist stuff – right , wrong or indifferent- we have a history that is always with us- I’d say not having our supporters in the midst has let our players off the hook- playing as slow and lack of passion is related to the Covid situation- no excuse but if we can pack in 50,000 Croatian fans – that energy is something you don’t see with too many teams- no excuse – just some reality here.
Jesus Christ. Stop playing the victim, people.
Newsflash; in the grand scheme of things, no one gives a fuck about Croatia. If someone or something was so against us ‘doing something’ at a major tournament, why were we ‘allowed’ to make a WC final then? Over much more desireable teams? Do you know how many TV execs rolled their eyes when they saw Croatia v. France in the final? Do you know how many chances we could have been fucked over in 2018?
Every NT can come up with a list of scenarios where they were wronged on certain calls. Welcome to football, folks. And sports in general.
All this crying about the Lovren PK is laughable. Playing hypotheticals, if the Czechs weren’t granted that PK, I would of put my entire 401k on that game ending 0-0. The only reason Perisic had that moment of brilliance was due to us being down. If it were still 0-0, there would of been no urgency to make a run like that? Know why? Because we’ve looked like asshole for 2 games so far.
Don’t point fingers and whine like a 5 year old girl. We have looked like govno for the better part of 2 years. A PK call, whether right or not, isn’t going to change our overall fortunes.
It’s true.
That game was ending in a draw no matter what.
We weren’t playing with any sort of urgency, and any chances were just created off of individual talent alone.
Exactly. I could see if we were dominating play, the game was 1-1, we continue to push the issue and either get a call against us/a goal disallowed – that takes the wind out of our sails. But prior to that PK and after (aside from Perisic’s run) we looked like shit.
Here’s a crazy idea. Give each manager the ability to call two VARs
per match. The ref will still make the calls on the field if he sees one but
This will allow sides to call things they see.
Yea, each coach should get a “VAR challenge” or something like that
@Becar
Of course it should’ve went to VAR when you see Schick’s face, his face clearly proves the ref missed something. Could you imagine if there was no VAR, you guys would’ve got away with one just like you did in ’98 when Bilic cost Blanc a world cup final. At least this time the right call was made.
Clear penalty for Schick in my opinion.
Perisic was also a clear handball in the Final, no doubt in my mind that it was ever so slightly hand to ball, lucky for VAR you guys didn’t get away with that one.
“VAR wasn’t designed to overturn every officiating mistake, if it was, the game would be stopped all game long for reviews.”
Correct, “VAR wasn’t designed to overturn every officiating mistake” made in a game, for example the Griezmann dive in the Final, ever since Bilic did what he did in ’98 all players do whatever it takes, sometimes managing to con the ref just like Bilic did, it was just a shame for you guys that Mandzukic scored an own goal, and Bilic’s cheating didn’t help you guys out against a team that was good enough (My France) to overcome a bad call.
Clear red in 98 too
The VAR assistant for the game against Czech was Massimiliano Irrati. The same guy we had for the final against France. He also escorted France through the entire tournament. This makes one think…
I can’t take credit for discovering this– a buddy on FB brought it up.
this man _ O -> Massimiliano Irrati
as shit as someone who wants to eat crap from anus _O)p
Sincerely deleting my bias here, does anyone remember the last time we got a PK call that someone might call “fortunate?” …. Even (going by memory) the one against Brozovic (?) in Nations League .. ball bounced off his leg and onto his hand .. PK .. v. France I think . . . . . . . sincere sramota. And 2014, well . . .
If we beat Scotland, we’re probably in no problem. ZDS
Without match fixing football is nothing.
That ESPN video of Steve nichol is typical He has been critical of lovren and kova for years .I’ve never seen an analyst so anti cro as this guy I swear his kids are Serb.
I dare you to find a vid of him being complimentary to anything Croatian.
Is he critical of Lovren and Kovacic only?
If so, then he’s probably right. 😉
Dalic:
Neću tražiti krivca, alibi, na meni je što nismo dobri. Ne izgledamo kako bi trebali, nismo kompaktni. Sedam, osam igrača došli su na okupljanje ozlijeđeni, nismo se uspjeli posložiti.
If he brought 7 or 8 injured players to this tournament, isn’t he responsible?
great result for us in this Swiss Turkey 3-1 scoreline. We would def be above Swiss if we win (only need one more group to be below us. Hopefully that will happen tomorrow, assuming Belgium beats Finland. Or Denmark beats Russia at home).
Also, kinda increases the likelihood even more that Group D 3rd place would go up against Holland (in Budapest)
Looks like refs have been given a “mandate”
Ampadu red card vs Italy
There was a studs stomp on one of the Croats last game
Forget who – anyone remember ?
But no foul, no card, nothing
Calling the game early vs. 3 extra minutes
That must be the first time in history that happened
Unbelievable
Gvardiol got stomped on by Coufal, if I remember correctly
Strange how there is never a Croat ref in these tourneys?Can they be worse then what we have seen?
You have a Slovenian reffing the Swiss game presently who was busted at a party with hookers and coke last year…of course he proclaimed his innocence.
Two Romanians even get a shot reffing this tournament?
We got pure gypsies reffing now
Why not a Croat?;)
Again boys it’s always gonna be the same
I can live with shit calls as long as our boys put it out there
Leave it all on the field Tuesday and maybe we get some luck
But again
Scotland and England going through fits this tourneys agenda
There is no denying it
Even if we had a world class stadium I don’t think we would have gotten games
Come on Zagreb or split ain’t baku;)
If only the ref v czech was at euro 2008 v turkey i svira kraj hahaha.
Yea pitana didnt give a penalty that asshole zabar who reffed v england gave it.
Reading Dalic wants modric kova broz middle @antekvartuc your dream 3 in middle hahaha
If dalic goes for that he has learned noting and 2018 was like ciro 1998 purely on the players and moment on your side.
Also reading pasalic might be in team also this is sad that you dont have a an 11 trying to find yourself aftet 3 jebene godine uzas
Will Scotland result get Dalic sacked he the third croat coach to get fired because not getting a result v scots ciro amd stimac the other 2
The lineup
Livakovic Vrsaljko(if he cant sub in juranovic) Lovren (Id put CC but lovren is vice captain cant bench him) Vida Gvardiol Modric Broz Vlasic Ivanusec Petkovic Perisic subs Kramaric brekalo Rebic Pasalic Budimir Orsic
VAR was not implemented to make the game fair…quite the opposite,which most people don’t understand.
Is it just a co-incidence that it’s ALWAYS the minnows getting jobbed when there is a questionable call?
This just gives the big boys another shot at keeping the supposed level field Un-level.You think they want us Hungary the Czechs and Finland in the semis LOL.
The beautiful game is as corrupt as it gets…watch that documentary on chuck glazer to see what fools ball is all about!!
We’ve been cheated almost tournament.
2020 Czech gives a ridiculous penalty and blows the final whistle early
2018 That Argentinian moron in the final on so many calls
2016 Unfair penalty awarded to Spain. Even tho suba save it
2014 I don’t think I need to explain this.
2012 Corluka was grabbed by the jersey for a header and offside goal
Just read my article.
It chronicles the history of Croatia’s bad luck at tournaments from Euro 96.
https://croatiansports.com/croatia-underachieve-major-soccer-tournaments/
We’re acting like it’s over already with these emotions running wild. Does anyone not remember Argentina last World Cup? They drew Iceland first game and then lost to us. Yet the pulled through and got to the round of 16. Now that tournament formation is different compare to euros. But the opponent was Nigeria. We have Scotland. No excuse to not win! I don’t care how they win even its 1-0. It’s a chance to redeem ourselves. Argentina did it last time in Russia after 1 goal in two matches. We are destined to win it brothers. AMJOOOOO
Yea, Argentina almost lost that game and barely got through on an 86th minute winner, lol.
I’m hoping we can do better than that.
Another point that seems to be lost in the shuffle is that the argument isn’t only whether it was a penalty or not, but should it even have gone to VAR? I’ve seen some commentary that says NO, it wasn’t a clear and obvious error, as per VAR’s mandate. VAR wasn’t designed to overturn every officiating mistake, if it was, the game would be stopped all game long for reviews.
It was not the ref on the field . It was the one in the booth that called down to check Var. Maybe because they saw blood they decided to review or perhaps something more sinister as the 2018 final. Remember the ref on duty did not want to give a penalty VAR and the refs in the room convinced him. Look at this! see it again! look it over !. It is what is. Let me say this had the French been on the field it would not be a penalty
That’s how VAR works. The Video Assistant Referee does not make any decisions. He simply let’s the on field referee know that he might have made an error and that he recommends a review. The on field official then views the replay and can decide for himself if a correction is warranted.
Here is the problem with VAR, real life does not take place in slow motion. Slow motion is a biased and dramatized re-enactment of an event. I watched as that ref went to the sidelines. He was only shown slow motion. First, he should be shown the event in real time as it occurred. Then if necessary, slow motion, then real time again for a final assessment. Slow motion introduces a clear bias and makes lightening fast events appear pre-mediated. The key to proper decision making is in mitigating biases. That is too complex a concept for the bone heads who run football. Yesterday Spain also got silly penalty against Poland for the same reasons.
VAR itself isn’t the problem it’s the officials interpreting it and its selective application. Curiously, it tends to always go one way. Speaking of Poland and Spain if one was watching there was a foul on a Polish player in the penalty area early in game that was comparable to the foul that VAR gave Spain, yet it wasn’t reviewed. What happens in that game if Poland was up 1-0 early? No one cries for the smaller clubs certainly not the tournament organizers.
100% right. The slo mo even convinced me, but real time speed tells a different story.
Now a south american argentine is ref at a euro wtf football is clearly lost the plot
Our game v scots
I am amazed that the ref stopping the game early like that received no media coverage. Twitter went crazy with complaints about match fixing.
It just shows that journalism including sports journalism is dead.
I mentioned this before the tournament started. If Dalic and the HNS don’t make a Stink about it then it will just go on. A Radical statement needs to be made.
And to add it’s the non calls that hurt us to like the stomp on Modrić during that Portugal match. That should have red carded the Portugal player.
I agree
But as always nothing will change
They have to better then the other teams and refs
They won’t get anything favourable with the scot game
We don’t fit the agenda
But would be amazing to come out and prove them all wrong once again
Always great write up bronk. I’ve always enjoyed them over the years tho I wish you didn’t need to write them
We are very much still in this boys and girls
Keep up the support
It never fails. There is at least one incident in practically every tournament that the officials cost Croatia 🇭🇷 a game. I have documented this phenomenon in my other article. In tournament soccer ever point and every game counts. How is it every commentator on TV 📺 says it wasn’t a penalty but the on field official for some odd reason sees it the other way? Is something else going on? Also, how was this game called early? Think to yourselves have you ever seen anything like that in your lives? A team has the ball in the attacking third and the game is ended with 20 seconds on the clock. I can honestly say this was a new one for me.
100%, ref got a nice bonus to keep that game a draw.