Controversial referee for England exit was only on VAR at 2018 World Cup and had already been blasted for Qatar displays

REFEREE Wilton Sampaio was only on VAR duty at the last World Cup.

The 40-year-old Brazilian official was in charge of England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.

But the man in the middle came under fire for his refereeing performance.

Four years ago at the World Cup in Russia Sampaio was on VAR duty and he had already caused controversy this tournament before Saturday night’s display.

Sampaio gave Saudi Arabia a penalty in their group game against Poland after checking the VAR monitor at the side of the pitch.

He penalised Krystian Bielik for a challenge on Saleh Al-Shehri, despite there appearing to be little contact.

Pundits also reckoned right-back Matty Cash should have been shown a second yellow card in the sane game, which Poland won 2-0.

Then last night Three Lions skipper Harry Kane was denied a first-half penalty despite appearing to be tripped by France defender Dayot Upamecano.

Sampaio also waved play on after a robust Upamecano challenge on Saka in the build up to France’s opener.

He did award England a penalty when Aurelien Tchouameni blatantly tripped Saka on the box, but was initially unmoved when Mason Mount was barged over by Theo Hernandez later in the game.

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Having consulted VAR Sampaio eventually gave England a second penalty, which Kane skied over the bar.

Former England defender Gary Neville brandished the ref a “joke”; following the game.

He said on ITV: “The referee had a nightmare game, an absolute joke of a referee.

“I’m not saying that was all down to England’s defeat because that’s making excuses, he was just a bad referee, rank bad.”;

England defender Harry Maguire said: “I can’t really explain his performance, the amount of decisions he got wrong was actually incredible. Really poor.”;

Pranksters even changed Sampaio’s Wikipedia page after a number of his debateable decisions.

Before England vs France Sampaio had reffed 381 games in his career – dishing out 1,856 yellow cards, 102 reds, and 114 penalties.