American referee Tori Penso has come under fire for her controversial decisions at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.
Spanish player Olga Carmona scored the only goal in the game as Spain beat England to become the FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions. The fans are, however, of a different opinion as they blame referee Tori Penso for England’s defeat.
La Roja player Salma Paralluelo was already on a yellow card for kneeing Alex Greenwood earlier in the match. She was also seen kicking the ball away to waste time, which would normally earn a player another yellow card. However, much to the fans’ dismay, referee Tori Penso failed to brandish another yellow card to Paralluelo.
SPAIN ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!! 🇪🇸#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/x4liWtvgpN
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 20, 2023
Soccer fans were enraged by this decision of the referee as one fan wrote, “With Tori Penso she should be sacked as referee from the fifa she was absolutely shocking she had no idea just giving Spain the decisions all the time Spain should have a player sent off I hope FIFA do something about this”.
While another fan wrote, “If Spain win, will Tori Penso reveal her Spain Shirt underneath & celebrate with them? An absolute shambles of a refereeing job today”. Another supporter echoed the same sentiments as they wrote, “Tori Penso should never officiate another game of this magnitude. absolutely shameless performance from her”.
The second yellow card would have seen Salma Paralluelo being sent off, which could have been a potential game-changing moment for the Lionesses.
Tori Penso’s controversial officiating at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final
Ignoring the blatant time-wasting and failing to show another yellow card to a Spanish player was not the only controversial decision made by the referee. The American has been accused of being biased toward Spain as most of her decisions in the match were in favor of the Spanish team.
Penso awarded Spain a penalty after reviewing VAR following the ball brushing Keira Walsh’s hand. The penalty was saved by English goalkeeper Mary Earps which stopped the Spanish team from doubling their lead.
Tori Penso when Spain commits a foul pic.twitter.com/DkDqWGQYKn
— Cheeky Little Devil (@JetSetJordan) August 20, 2023
Many English fans, however, think that the decision by the referee was ridiculous and that it should not have been a penalty in the first place. In another instance, English player Lauren James should have been awarded a free kick right at the edge of the box after she was fouled by a Spanish player.
Although, the referee alone should not be blamed for the Lionesses’ disheartening loss as the team failed to show up today. Even without Penso’s questionable decisions, La Roja was the better team on the pitch and thus they rightfully claimed the World Cup title.