Wayne Rooney clashes with BBC pundit over controversial World Cup referee decision

Wayne Rooney accused Argentine referee Facundo Raul of a serious error during Canada's 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Group B encounter in Toronto saw Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj charge towards forward Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi before hitting the deck after the keeper's two fists made contact with the back of his head.

However, Raul declined to classify the incident as "serious foul play" and opted against dismissing the St. Pauli shot-stopper. During post-match analysis, Rooney was adamant that a penalty and a red card should have been issued to the goalkeeper during the opening fixture for the co-hosts. Former Premier League official and BBC refereeing expert Cann offered his explanation for why Raul made the call in the second half, stating: "First of all, offside was given. But even without the offside, in my opinion, it's not a penalty, and it's not a red card.

"The goalkeeper clearly plays the ball first and there's just inevitable contact after that, so it's not serious foul play. The 'keeper clearly wins the ball and for me, that's clearly not a red card."

Rooney, however, hit back: "It's a red card. Even though he's offside, we've seen it before where players have gone through as offside or the whistle has gone and a still a red card. It's very dangerous play. I know he wins the ball, but he follows through.

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"He hits him in the temple - that's the worst place you can get hit. You can get knocked out. He might come back in a week's time and have a delayed concussion. Look at his neck - that a clear red card. You see players win the ball and it's with a reasonable force. They follow through and then they get a red card. It's exactly the same but with his hands, it's easier to move your hands back than it is your leg."

Cann hit back, arguing: "Not in my opinion at all, Wayne. It's a goalkeeper winning the ball, and there's just inevitable contact. There's no brutality in that challenge."

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Former France and Arsenal frontman Olivier Giroud also waded into the debate, commenting: "As a striker, I would have been frustrated to not get a penalty on that one. On the other hand, I understand what Darren says. You hit the ball first and it is hard for him to get his hands off the striker's head."

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