The inconsistency regarding the high foot rule reared its head again.
England supporters were counting down the minutes ever since Kieran Trippier’s free-kick sailed into the back of the Croatian net after five minutes in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final.
But Croatia got themselves right back into the game as Ivan Perisic swung a boot at a cross from Sime Vrsaljko and the ball flew past Jordan Pickford in the England goal.
It was a brilliant finish from the Inter winger but plenty of English supporters were furious after watching replays of the equaliser.
Perisic beat Kyle Walker to the ball and it was suggested that the Croatia star’s foot was at a dangerous height as Walker attempted to head the cross clear.
Referee Cuneyt Cakir didn’t agree, however, and didn’t even entertain the idea of disallowing the goal.
GOAL! Perisic volleys Croatia level with a fine finish! pic.twitter.com/2434fkVAqW
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 11, 2018
If Cakir’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he was the official who sent off Nani for a high boot on Alvaro Arbeloa in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final Champions League match.
Ferguson raged about the decision after the last-16 defeat to Real Madrid in 2013, admitting that he felt it was “hard to keep faith” after the contentious red card.
Now while it’s impossible to say that Perisic’s foot was as high as Nani’s was five years ago, it had supporters raging about the lack of consistency from Cakir.
And this is the Ref that sent Nani off for a high foot. I’m confused. Wasn’t that high?
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) July 11, 2018
Anywhere else on the pitch ref gives a foul for a high foot
— Anthony Johnson (@amjonno) July 11, 2018
No way should that be a goal. Foot is way too high!
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) July 11, 2018
Perisic 1-1. High foot there. Referee — the guy who sent off Nani for high feet once — allows it.
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) July 11, 2018
#bbcworldcup that boot was higher than Nani’s when this ref sent him off vs Madrid!
— RegularJon (@colesy1985) July 11, 2018
He sent nani off for that, just saying
— FREE PALESTINE🇵🇸🇿🇦 (@SAandPalestine) July 11, 2018
That’s a high fucking foot. #Eng #EngCro #itsComingHome #WorldCup
— Jaime Mc 💙 (@jmak316) July 11, 2018
Perisic scored with a high foot. The same fucking ref who gave nani red card for that 5 years ago.
— Hanit 🙂 (@unitedwayyy) July 11, 2018
How is that not a foul though. Anywhere else on pitch that’s a high boot
— WackLUFC180 (@TheWack180) July 11, 2018
So this is the same ref that sent Nani off for that high boot when it was waist high. But lets that go? #ENGCRO #ENG #CRO #WorldCup #ThreeLions #ItsComingHome
— BeanymanSports (@BeanymanSports) July 11, 2018
HIGH BOOT! Should have been a foul.
— Nikhila (@kokudum) July 11, 2018
