Alan Shearer has issued a stark warning to England ahead of their World Cup semi-final against Argentina, citing concerns over a shift in VAR protocols and the appointment of referee Ismail Elfath. The former England captain fears history could repeat itself as the Three Lions face the defending champions in a high-stakes match that will determine who advances to Sunday's final against Spain.
Shearer's warning: temper control and VAR concerns
Shearer, who experienced a controversial red card in the 1998 World Cup clash between the two sides when David Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone, emphasized the need for discipline. "What happened to us then should be a warning to England now, because these are the kind of games where tempers can boil over and affect the result," Shearer told the BBC. "I would not be surprised at all if we saw another red card this time too, but I am slightly concerned where the refereeing will be at, and how VAR might impact us."
England have built confidence with victories over Mexico and Norway in challenging conditions, while Argentina have shown signs of vulnerability. However, Shearer highlighted a perceived shift in how VAR has been applied during the knockout stages. "It feels like there has been a huge shift in the narrative from referees and VAR as the tournament has gone on and there have been some bizarre decisions, including some that have gone Argentina's way," he said. He specifically cited the controversial decision to rule out Egypt's goal against Argentina in the last 16 due to a foul at the other end of the pitch, calling it "astonishing."
Referee Ismail Elfath: a potential omen for Argentina?
The man in charge of the semi-final is Moroccan-born American Ismail Elfath. Born in Casablanca, Elfath moved to the United States after winning a government diversity lottery ticket at age 18. He studied mechanical engineering in Texas while playing for USL League Two side Austin Lightning before turning to refereeing, motivated by dissatisfaction with officiating standards. He became a professional referee in 2011 and has since won MLS Referee of the Year in 2020 and 2022.
Elfath officiated three games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, most notably sending off Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar for removing his shirt after scoring a dramatic winner against Brazil. He also served as the fourth official for the World Cup final, which Argentina won on penalties against France. Notably, Lionel Messi has won all five Inter Miami matches that Elfath has refereed, suggesting a favorable omen for the Argentine captain.
England's path to the final
England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, face an Argentina side led by the imperious Lionel Messi. Shearer expressed confidence in England's ability to progress but stressed the importance of composure. "It will be a red-hot atmosphere, and it will be hard enough for England playing 11 v 11, so cool heads will be imperative," he said. "I know how hard it is not to react in the heat of the battle but we cannot afford to do anything rash that might give the referee or VAR the chance to get involved."
The match is set to be a tense encounter, with both teams aware of the high stakes. Argentina will look to exploit any emotional outbursts, while England must remain disciplined to avoid a repeat of 1998. Shearer's warning serves as a crucial reminder for Tuchel's squad as they aim to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.
