Gareth Southgate seeking 'dialogue' with FIFA following Harry Maguire decision

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Gareth Southgate seeking 'dialogue' with FIFA following Harry Maguire decision

Gareth Southgate is 'worried' that VAR didn't award England a penalty against Iran and wants to discuss the matter with FIFA.

England made the dream start to their World Cup campaign, beating Iran 6-2, but they could have scored even more, being denied what seemed a clear penalty in the eyes of many.

When looking to get on the end of a corner, Harry Maguire was pulled down by an Iran defender inside the box. The referee didn't give a penalty and VAR opted not to intervene. They did however decide to do so at the other end, awarding Iran a penalty at the end of the match for what seemed a far less clear-cut foul.

Southgate is worried by the calls, fearing that, as England were used to show an example of foul play in a refereeing meeting before the tournament, they're being held to stricter standards.

“What worries me is we were used in an example in the referee's video. And what we were shown, the Harry Maguire incident in the first half, we were told that would be a definite penalty," the England manager said.

“In the second half, maybe there's a shirt pull, we've got to be better on that, but I'm a bit worried we were the example shown, and then to get a decision as happened in the first half, we need some clarification really as to how it's going to be.

“We've got to have that dialogue with FIFA and just make sure...we want clarity, otherwise, we don't know where we stand."