The first-ever VAR decision in the Concacaf W Championship was a controversial one, with the game’s referee overturning a red card against Haiti’s Roselord Borgella.
Borgella initially was called for a red after entering a tackle with a high boot, raking down USWNT defender Kelley O’Hara’s side. Upon VAR review, the call was downgraded to a yellow card to account for Borgella’s bent knee.
The first ever VAR decision in CONCACAF Women's World Cup qualifying history overturns a red card for Roselord Borgella and Haiti. 👀 pic.twitter.com/6HnZGHAQ01— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 4, 2022
The first ever VAR decision in CONCACAF Women's World Cup qualifying history overturns a red card for Roselord Borgella and Haiti. 👀 pic.twitter.com/6HnZGHAQ01
The move spurred discussion on social media, with reporters and fans questioning the call.
“Folks, I can’t believe that,” wrote Jeff Kassouf of The Equalizer on Twitter. “Dragging the studs down the side, starting at the shoulder.”
Wow, VAR downgrades the Borgella red card to a yellow. Folks, I can't believe that. Dragging the studs down the side, starting at the shoulder. Taking it from a red *down* to a yellow makes no sense. Borgella and Haiti bailed out right when gaining momentum.— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) July 4, 2022
Wow, VAR downgrades the Borgella red card to a yellow. Folks, I can't believe that. Dragging the studs down the side, starting at the shoulder. Taking it from a red *down* to a yellow makes no sense. Borgella and Haiti bailed out right when gaining momentum.
Meaghen Johnson of TSN was also surprised by the downgrade, calling Borgella’s challenge a “reckless play.”
Haiti’s Borgella looked to be sent off with a straight red after a high cleat/dangerous challenge on O’Hara, but after VAR, it’s downgraded to a yellow.I’m a bit surprised it got changed. It was a reckless play and I didn’t think there was a clear and obvious error on the call.— Meaghen Johnson (@MeaghenJohnson) July 4, 2022
Haiti’s Borgella looked to be sent off with a straight red after a high cleat/dangerous challenge on O’Hara, but after VAR, it’s downgraded to a yellow.I’m a bit surprised it got changed. It was a reckless play and I didn’t think there was a clear and obvious error on the call.
Claire Watkins of JWS added her voice to the chorus, Tweeting a link to a photo of O’Hara’s injuries.
You guys https://t.co/Te0i1Q8XjZ— Claire Watkins (@ScoutRipley) July 5, 2022
You guys https://t.co/Te0i1Q8XjZ
Jason Anderson of Pro Soccer Wire wrote, “Intent not an issue at all here, this is a one billion percent red card.”
I do not understand how a kick at that height, then raking down someone's shoulder and hip, got a VAR check, much less wasn't a red card. Intent not an issue at all here, this is a one billion percent red card.— Jason Anderson (@JasonDCsoccer) July 4, 2022
I do not understand how a kick at that height, then raking down someone's shoulder and hip, got a VAR check, much less wasn't a red card. Intent not an issue at all here, this is a one billion percent red card.
VAR continued to be a topic of conversation throughout Monday’s tournament opener. The match official upheld a no-call against Mallory Pugh after she was taken down inside the box and waived off a USWNT goal, calling Megan Rapinoe offside upon review.