Mike Dean: English Premier League Referee Shocked Officials in Ghana Versus Portugal Game Did Not Check VAR

• Mike Dean is shocked by the decision to not check VAR during the Ghana and Portugal game
• The English Premier League referee commented on the decision by referee Ismail Elfath
• Elfath ignored the VAR to award a controversial penalty to Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo

Former English Premier League referee Mike Dean has reacted to officiating in the Ghana versus Portugal game at the World Cup in Qatar.

The retired referee is surprised referee Ismail Elfath could not check VAR for Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial penalty.

In his analysis on TV, Dean felt the officials in the Video Assistant Referee room should have drawn the attention of the American referee.

"In the first build-up, it looks like a penalty, but when you look at it from another angle it does not look like a foul. But the new thing now is VAR. The defender clearly touches the ball and Ronaldo's leg hit the back of the player," he said in a video that has gone viral on social media.

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Dean described it as 'scary' that the referee was not requested to review the controversial Mohammed Salisu incident using the VAR tech at his disposal.

Ronaldo seemed to have fallen too easily after Salisu poked the ball, before making a contact on the Portuguese talisman.

The Black Stars ended up losing 3-2 after a spirited performance in their Group H opener. Ghana then faced South Korea before playing Uruguay in their final game.

Portugal beat Ghana in opener

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that five second-half goals ensured Portugal beat Ghana in their opening Group H game, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

CR7 scored in his fifth World Cup while Joao Felix and Rafael Leao also netted for the Europeans, although Ghana reduced the deficit through Andre Ayew and Osman Bukari.

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Portugal began the game dominating possession, winning a corner kick after just three minutes, but the set piece was seen off by the Black Stars.

Fans react to 'fake' penalty

Football fans across Africa, who monitored Ghana's Group H curtain-raiser against Portugal, have been left appalled by some questionable refereeing decisions.

Ghana crossed paths with Portugal for the second time at the FIFA World Cup after their 2014 meeting in Brazil, which ended in favour of the Europeans.

Determined to exact revenge and record Africa's first win at the 2022 Mundial, Ghana began the game cautiously, managing to secure a goalless draw at halftime.