Tuesday November 26, 2024

Serbia question non-use of VAR in loss to Switzerland

Published : 23 Jun 2018, 10:23

DF-Xinhua Report

Fabian Schaer (L) of Switzerland vies with Aleksandar Mitrovic of Serbia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group E match between Switzerland and Serbia in Kaliningrad, Russia, June 22, 2018. Photo Xinhua by Chen Cheng.

Serbian football association vice president Savo Milosevic has questioned why the video assistant referee (VAR) was not used for a penalty appeal during his team's 2-1 World Cup loss to Switzerland here on Friday.

Referee Felix Brych waved play on after Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic fell to the ground while jostling with Switzerland defenders Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer during the second half of the match at Kaliningrad Stadium.

"I understand that maybe the referee didn't see it, but that's why we have VAR," Milosevic said. "What are those guys doing up there?"

Mitrovic gave his team the lead with an early header before Switzerland drew level through a long-range Granit Xhaka strike. Xherdan Shaqiri broke the deadlock in the 90th minute by sliding the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.

Both teams have a chance to progress to the tournament's knockout phase. Serbia will meet Brazil and Switzerland take on Costa Rica in the final round of Group E matches next week.