Wales fans in uproar as ref rejects VAR’s red card appeal for knee-high tackle

Welsh football fans have been left fuming after Latvia's Janis Ikaunieks escaped a red card during their Euro 2024 qualifier – despite scything down Jordan James at knee height.

The two players had been battling off the ball when James, who plays his club football for Birmingham City, had seemingly slipped away.

However, Ikaunieks responded with a rash challenge, that completely missed the ball and made contact with the midfielder's knee.

Wales were handed a free-kick, but Slovakian official Michal Ocenas decided the challenge was only worthy of a yellow card. And he kept his original decision after a lengthy VAR check, to the disbelief of Welsh fans.

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"That’s a shocking challenge, can’t get my head around the ref not giving him a red for that," one fan fumed. While a second said: "Ref reviewed this like 100 times and decided to stick with his decision…"

"Redder than Red. Awful," a third responded. And another added: "Honestly, what is the point of VAR if a petulant knee-high lunge isn’t deemed a red card?!"

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Wales beat Latvia 2-0 in an unconvincing performance, and after the game Aaron Ramsey said: "It wasn't easy to come here, a lot of teams have come here and struggled.

"To come here and win with two goals is fantastic, Brooksy (David Brooks) as well, it's good for us. He's so important for us and it's nice for him to score. We're just happy to have him back."

Wales are now fourth in their qualification group – three points off Croatia, who are currently top.

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