MARK CLATTENBURG: Uruguay had every right to be angry after being knocked out of the World Cup, while Japan were LUCKY to go through, PLUS... Anthony Taylor was too hasty to blow his whistle in South Korea vs Ghana
- There continues to be controversial refereeing and VAR calls at the World Cup
- Uruguay felt they should have had a penalty against Ghana before crashing out
- Japan also scored a controversial goal to knock Germany out of the tournament
- Elsewhere, South Korea boss Paulo Bento was sent off after full-time vs Ghana
- Sportsmail's Mark Clattenburg runs the rule over several contentious decisions
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
As the World Cup begins to heat up as we enter the latter stages of the competition, there continues to be drama out in Qatar.
Refereeing decisions and VAR have had their fair share of scrutiny throughout this World Cup, with video technology again angering many.
In light of that, Sportsmail's Mark Clattenburg has run the rule over some of the most contentious decisions during the past week.
![There continues to be controversy surrounding the refereeing and VAR calls at the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/20/65210191-11498629-image-a-1_1670100961401.jpg)
There continues to be controversy surrounding the refereeing and VAR calls at the World Cup
CAVANI HAD A POINT
Edinson Cavani punching the pitch-side VAR monitor and toppling it over summed up Uruguay’s anger at their World Cup exit. You’ve probably wished you could give it a smack at times, too.
We’ve seen a few contentious calls, along with some suggestions that referees and VARs aren’t working in unison, and I can understand some of Uruguay’s fury.
There was nothing in their first penalty shout. Ghana’s Daniel Amartey got a toe to the ball when Darwin Nunez dropped down. German referee Daniel Siebert was sent to his monitor by VAR Bastian Dankert but was right to stand by his decision.
![Uruguay were angry when Edinson Cavani appeared to be fouled by Alidu Seidu during the Uruguay vs Ghana game but nothing was given](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/20/65210187-11498629-image-a-2_1670100974326.jpg)
Uruguay were angry when Edinson Cavani appeared to be fouled by Alidu Seidu during the Uruguay vs Ghana game but nothing was given
![That was a mistake because Cavani was definitely fouled, meaning Uruguay were robbed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/20/65210189-11498629-image-a-3_1670100977107.jpg)
That was a mistake because Cavani was definitely fouled, meaning Uruguay were robbed
I do wonder if that had an impact later when Cavani was fouled by Alidu Seidu. It’s possible Dankert didn’t want to send Siebert to his monitor after his earlier penalty recommendation was dismissed.
That was a mistake because, watching the replays, Cavani was fouled. He got goalside of Seidu and was caught. Uruguay were right to feel robbed, though took it too far.
They practically chased the officials down the tunnel at the end. Sadly that’s part of life as a ref. And now we’re entering the knockout stages, the pressure increases.
JAPAN GOT LUCKY
From one angle, the ball was out of play before Japan’s winner against Spain. From another, it was in. The on-field decision was that the ball went out: no goal.
VAR Fernando Guerrero had to be certain to overturn that call. But I’m not sure the ‘evidence’ was sufficient to say, without a shadow of a doubt, the ball did not go out of play. It still looked too close to call. But I can see why Germany, who dropped out of the World Cup as a result, weren’t happy.
![I’m not sure the ‘evidence’ was sufficient to say, without a shadow of a doubt, the ball for Japan's winning goal did not go out of play and I understand why Germany weren't happy](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/20/65210201-11498629-image-a-4_1670100980098.jpg)
I’m not sure the ‘evidence’ was sufficient to say, without a shadow of a doubt, the ball for Japan's winning goal did not go out of play and I understand why Germany weren't happy
ANTHONY TAYLOR WAS HASTY
I once blew before a corner could be taken — at Euro 2016 between Croatia and Czech Republic. Luka Modric and Co weren’t happy. But that was different. That was for half-time. Anthony Taylor blowing for full-time before South Korea could take their corner against Ghana sparked ugly scenes.
Referees are urged not to end the game in an attacking phase. A corner is an extension of that, and I’m sure there had been enough stoppages in the 10 minutes of extra time to enable South Korea to take the set-piece.
![There was controversy at full time when South Korea coach Paulo Bento stormed on the pitch](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/16/65013403-11469999-image-a-73_1669651325881.jpg)
There was controversy at full time when South Korea coach Paulo Bento stormed on the pitch
![He was infuriated by Anthony Taylor's decision to blow the whistle when Korea had a corner](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/16/65013409-11469999-image-a-74_1669651329236.jpg)
He was infuriated by Anthony Taylor's decision to blow the whistle when Korea had a corner
![Taylor didn't hesitate in sending him off but I'm not sure he should have blown up when he did](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/20/65013427-11498629-Premier_League_referee_Taylor_didn_t_hesitate_in_sending_off_the-a-6_1670100992836.jpg)
Taylor didn't hesitate in sending him off but I'm not sure he should have blown up when he did
REFEREES EARN BONUS
It is not only an honour for referees to oversee the knockout stages. It can add cash to your pay packet, too. You receive a flat fee for refereeing a World Cup.
Reportedly that’s $70,000 (£57,400) for this tournament. But you’re handed bonuses for each extra game you referee. Word is a knockout tie will earn you $10,000 (£8,200). It’s well-earned, given the pressure on referees.
![Refereeing a World Cup knockout game can add some healthy cash to your pay packet](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/03/22/65212345-11498629-image-a-16_1670107578200.jpg)
Refereeing a World Cup knockout game can add some healthy cash to your pay packet
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