A petition to have Colombia's round-of-16 defeat to England replayed has garnered nearly 300,000 signatures. The Three Lions ended their penalty shootout hoodoo by beating the South American side after a bad-tempered affair had ended 1-1. Harry Kane's opener from the spot was cancelled out in the last minute by Yerry Mina, with no further goals in extra-time. To win in such a manner only served to further England fans' belief that "Football's Coming Home" - but there is one man determined to stop that particular reunion.
Colombian law student Juan Diego Garcia Munoz started a petition to have the match replayed and has called upon his compatriots to support his cause. At the time of writing 285,470 people had signed. He says there were two controversial incidents in particular which cost Los Cafeteros a place in the quarterfinals - and believes Video Assistant Referee (VAR) would have supported his case had it been called into use. Munoz states Kane gave England the lead from a "non-existent" penalty, which referee Mark Geiger "judged poorly." The Tottenham striker had won the spotkick after being wrestled to the ground by Colombia's Carlos Sanchez while defending a corner. And, secondly, he insists Carlos Bacca had a legitimate goal ruled out in extra-time, which would have given Colombia a 2-1 lead. The Villarreal man appeared to capitalise on a misunderstanding in the England defence following an Ashley Young throw-in. However, the Three Lions were given a reprieve when the referee stopped play claiming there were two balls on the pitch when Bacca slotted past Jordan Pickford. Munoz says this decision was incorrect as TV replays showed the two balls were never actually on the pitch at the same time.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona, a World Cup winner in 1986, was also angry with the decisions during the match and with Geiger's performance, that he called a "monumental robbery". FIFA responded to Maradona's comments with a statement condemning his criticism.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona, a World Cup winner in 1986, was also angry with the decisions during the match and with Geiger's performance, that he called a "monumental robbery". FIFA responded to Maradona's comments with a statement condemning his criticism.
Source: ESPN