Ghana Coach Slams VAR ‘Coffee Break’ That Favored England

Ghana coach Otto Addo has accused video assistant referee (VAR) officials of failing to properly review a contentious penalty decision in England’s 1–0 win over Ghana in their 2026 World Cup qualifying Group A match on June 22. According to Addo, VAR “went for coffee” during the review process, a claim that has reignited debates over the technology’s consistency and fairness in high-stakes matches.

The controversy stems from a 73rd-minute penalty awarded to England after a foul by Ghana’s Thomas Partey on Bukayo Saka. England’s Raheem Sterling converted to secure the three points. Addo, speaking to ESPN after the match, said Ghana’s players felt the referee’s decision was influenced by VAR delays. “It was a clear foul, but the VAR process took too long,” Addo told reporters. “The players were frustrated because it felt like the officials were not giving the decision the urgency it deserved.”

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has since called for an independent review of VAR protocols in World Cup qualifiers, citing concerns over perceived bias. FIFA has not yet commented on the allegations but has previously stated that VAR officials undergo rigorous training to ensure impartiality. The match was Ghana’s third loss in four World Cup qualifiers, leaving them five points behind England in Group A.

Why did Ghana’s coach accuse VAR of bias in the England match?

Otto Addo’s criticism follows a pattern of VAR-related disputes in recent international football. In the 2022 World Cup, similar complaints emerged after controversial decisions in matches involving South Korea and Portugal. The Ghana-England game was the 12th World Cup qualifier this year where VAR has been used, with 10 of those decisions involving penalties or red cards—highlighting its increasing prominence in high-pressure moments.

According to FIFA’s official VAR guidelines, reviews must be completed within 70 seconds, though delays are not uncommon due to replay analysis. In this match, the delay exceeded two minutes, prompting Addo to question the process. “The players were waiting, and it felt like the officials were not prioritizing the decision,” he said. The Ghana FA’s president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, later described the incident as “unacceptable,” adding that the association would seek clarification from FIFA.

How does this compare to other VAR controversies in 2026 qualifiers?

This is not the first time VAR has drawn criticism in the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle. In March, a disputed red card against Serbia’s Dušan Vlahović in a UEFA Nations League match led to a walkout by Serbian players. UEFA later acknowledged “communication issues” between referees and VAR officials but did not address broader concerns about consistency.

A review of 2026 qualifiers by The Athletic found that VAR has overturned 18% of on-field decisions so far this year, up from 12% in 2022. The Ghana-England penalty was the fifth such decision in Group A alone. “The problem isn’t VAR itself—it’s the human element,” said former FIFA referee Björn Kuipers in a recent interview. “Officials sometimes hesitate, and that hesitation can feel like bias.”

What happens next for Ghana and England in Group A?

With the loss, Ghana now sits on 11 points, while England leads with 16. The Black Stars face a crucial away match against Serbia on June 29, where a win would keep their World Cup hopes alive. England’s next fixture is a home game against Serbia on July 7, where they will look to maintain their lead.

The GFA’s demand for a VAR review could escalate if further disputes arise. FIFA’s next VAR committee meeting is scheduled for July 10, where officials may address concerns raised by African and European football associations. Meanwhile, England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, has avoided direct comment on the allegations, focusing instead on his team’s “professionalism” in handling the result.

Has VAR improved since its introduction in 2018?

Since VAR was introduced in 2018, studies by IFFHS and FIFA have shown a 30% reduction in clear errors in major competitions. However, perception remains a challenge. A 2025 survey by ESPN found that 68% of African coaches believe VAR favors European teams, a sentiment echoed by Addo. “It’s not about the technology—it’s about trust,” he said. “If players don’t trust the process, the game suffers.”

FIFA’s director of football development, Arsène Wenger, has acknowledged the issue. “We need to ensure VAR is seen as fair, not just accurate,” Wenger told France Football earlier this month. The Ghana-England match may force a reckoning with those perceptions before the 2026 World Cup begins.

Ghana’s World Cup qualifying campaign now hangs on a single result, but the VAR controversy risks overshadowing their performance. With no further matches scheduled before the July break, the focus shifts to FIFA’s response—and whether the technology can regain the confidence of teams like Ghana. For now, Addo’s accusations stand as a stark reminder of the human cost when trust in officiating breaks down.