The authoritative in the past referee Miroslav Stupar commented on the resonant episode of the end of yesterday's Euro-2024 qualifying match between Ukraine and Italy (0:0), when Mykhailo Mudryk was on the lawn in the penalty area of the Italian national team.
"Such an impression that there was no VAR in this game. I have one question: why was the VAR referee silent in the moment with Mudryk? The head referee saw this episode well, but was afraid to take responsibility and put a penalty. Even VAR did not go to watch it.
If he had watched it, he definitely should have given a penalty, because there was contact, the defender put his foot as a barrier, and Mudryk had already thrown the ball. The referee didn't want to set himself up. If he had gone to watch the VAR - it would have been a self-firing for him.
But if he did not give a penalty, he should have given a yellow card to Mudryk for simulation," Ukrainian Football quotes Stupar as saying.