1.
http://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/2018/ ... b4575.html Not happy with Monday's officiating - England complain to FIFA about the use of VAR
FIFA 'extremely satisfied' with VAR and refereeing
FIFA will study and look into the use of VAR at the World Cup, with England upset at the way their 2-1 victory over Tunisia was officiated.
Although they won the Group G match, the British side felt they could have been awarded two penalties for fouls on Harry Kane.
FA technical director Dan Ashworth presented a report which explains how the English side's chances were harmed.
While FIFA have already dismissed a complaint from Brazil and have stated that they are extremely satisfied with how VAR has been used, there will be a meeting about the system next week, after which the decisions taken with respect to VAR will be published.
2.
http://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/articl ... nats-fliesFifa World Cup 2018: England players use bug spray as swarm of gnats flies into their eyes and mouths during Tunisia match
Players cover themselves with insect repellent before the game and at halftime in Russia, but to little effect
England and Tunisia players swatted away swarms of gnats that flew into their eyes and mouths during their opening World Cup game in Russia’s riverside city of Volgograd on Monday.
The area around Volgograd is known for its swamps and wide rivers, the perfect breeding ground for insects during the hot and dry summer in the Russian south.
Russian media said authorities used planes in the months before the game to spray the area around the stadium, which is next to the massive Volga river, with a special substance designed to kill off the bugs.
Authorities also tried to regulate the flow of water at a nearby hydroelectric dam which locals believe has a direct effect on the number of insects.
Players still had to cover themselves with bug spray before the game and at halftime, but that seemed to have little effect.
“There were a lot more than I first thought … some of them in your eyes, some of them in your mouth,” said England captain Harry Kane, who scored twice including a stoppage-time header to lead his side to a 2-1 victory.
His teammate Raheem Sterling looked particularly bothered by the tiny gnats circling his face before the start of the second half.
Tunisia’s Ferjani Sassi was also pestered by them before the took a penalty – but he still managed to convert it and equalise for the African side.
The coaches were not distracted by the insects.
“I did not feel the midges because I was so focused on the team, on the game,” Tunisia’s Nabil Maaloul said.
