England’s last-32 win over DR Congo on July 1 has been overshadowed by a huge officiating row. Just before halftime, with the score close, Harry Kane burst through on goal after a Jude Bellingham pass, rounded goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, and went down under contact. Referee Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh waved play on, VAR official Khamis Al Marri backed the call, and no penalty was given — despite replays showing clear contact from Mpasi’s challenge. England went on to win 2-1, but the decision has dominated headlines ever since.
Kane stayed quiet for several days before opening up to BBC Sport. He described feeling definite contact on his ankle and shin, and said the referee rushed over and told him to get up, dismissing it as something he’d been “trying all game” rather than properly reviewing the incident. Kane said his issue wasn’t about sympathy but fairness, arguing that clear one-on-one contact should favor the attacker, especially at a World Cup, while acknowledging referees have a tough job.
Pundits are split. Dermot Gallagher said on Sky Sports he expected a penalty and was stunned it wasn’t given, while some analysts suggested Kane may have started going down just before contact, which could explain the officials’ call.
The fallout has escalated beyond the pitch. The FA has launched an internal review and reportedly hasn’t ruled out a formal complaint to FIFA or even exploring legal routes such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport, focusing on whether VAR protocols were properly followed. The FA says it’s committed to fairness and will cooperate with any FIFA review, though no legal action has been confirmed.
The row feeds into broader complaints about inconsistent officiating at this World Cup. For England, the missed penalty forced a scrappier second-half approach, while DR Congo’s camp — including Mpasi and their coach — praised the referee for standing firm against a major footballing nation. Reaction online has been fierce, with hashtags like #JusticeForKane trending and figures like Gary Lineker arguing that clear contact should mean a penalty.
With England now focused on the quarter-finals, Kane says the priority is winning the tournament, but FIFA is expected to review the officiating, and the debate over consistency, VAR, and simulation shows no sign of dying down.
