'It's indefensible': Mike Dean claims Portugal's penalty against Ghana should have been overturned

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean thinks the lack of VAR intervention in Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty against Ghana was 'scary'.

Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 in their World Cup opener, Ronaldo netting from the spot after drawing a 'foul' from Mohammed Salisu.

Many viewers disagreed with the decision, thinking Salisu got the ball and Ronaldo went down easily. And Dean agrees with them.

'The defender clearly plays the ball,; he said after the game. 'Ronaldo then touches the back of the defender, goes down, instigated contact.

'It's not the referee's fault – he's given the decision on the field of play. The VAR, in my opinion, should have got involved and invited the referee over to have a look at it.'

He added: 'It's scary, I have to say. I'm just astounded. I like to back referees all the time but you can't support stuff like that. You can't defend the indefensible.

'It should have been overturned. He should have gone to the screen, he should have looked at it.

'There may have been some technical glitch that we don't know about. I just can't understand why he wasn't sent to the screen.

'100 per cent it's wrong.'