Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has called on his teammates to be more assertive in dealing with match officials after the Black Stars were left frustrated by a contentious refereeing decision in their goalless 2026 FIFA World Cup draw against England.
Speaking after the Group L encounter, Semenyo expressed disappointment that Ghana was not awarded a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review following a strong penalty appeal, insisting the team must do more to ensure officials take notice during crucial moments.
The controversy centered on a late challenge by England defender Ezri Konsa on Ghana striker Prince Kwabena Adu inside the penalty area. Referee Said Martinez waved play on, and VAR did not intervene, a decision that sparked widespread debate among fans, pundits and former referees.
“As a team, we need to be more aggressive around the officials,” Semenyo said, stressing that players must communicate more forcefully with referees when they believe key decisions have gone against them. He maintained that such moments can significantly influence the outcome of matches.
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz also questioned the lack of a VAR review, describing the incident as another example of inconsistency in the tournament’s officiating. While acknowledging the result, he voiced concern over the application of VAR and the limited opportunities for teams to challenge contentious calls.
The stalemate left Ghana and England level on four points in Group L, with England holding the advantage on goal difference. Ghana now faces a decisive final group-stage clash against Croatia, where a positive result could secure a place in the knockout rounds.
