World Cup: Canada fans FUME at ref Janny Sikazwe after failure to give penalties

Canadian fans have been outraged by leading the first 45 minutes of their first World Cup match in 36 years.

Supporters have berated referee Janny Sikazwe after he gave them two ‘clear’ penalties after Alphonso Davies missed a penalty in the ninth minute of the game vs. Belgium in Group F. Their opponents then took the lead before the break.

The furore comes just 10 months after Sikazwe blows full-time after just 85 minutes in Tunisia’s AFCON clash against Mali.

Canada were penalized early on for a Yannick Carrasco handball that saved Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but fans and pundits believe they should have had at least one more PK.

Belgium’s Eden Hazard passed the ball back to defender Jan Vertonghen in his own area, but the ball was loose and fell to Canada’s Tajon Buchanan.

Canada’s Tajon Buchanan was brought down in the penalty area, but he was offside

However, the Belgian Eden Hazard played the pass back and so offside should not have been valid

The winger was then brought down by the centre-back, but the linesman raised his flag for offside. Referee Sikazwe then whistled for offside.

Since Hazard deliberately played the ball, Buchanan should not have been ruled offside.

Fox Sports pundit Stuart Holden said: ‘Missed call from the referee and VAR not to go back. Canada should get a second penalty.’

While his fellow expert Alexi Lalas added, “That was ridiculous. It’s amazing that they lose this game.’

Fans and pundits believe Canada should have had at least one more PK against Belgium

One Twitter account read: ‘Canada robbed of yet another penalty kick by referee. Linesman ruled offside when Hazard passed the ball.’

One fan added: “Canada’s next penalty is not given… why did I expect more? Another said, “This ref is so bad man, how can he ref after that AFCON thing?”

Fox’s refereeing expert, former Premier League official Mark Clattenburg, said the mistake was made by the video assistant referee (VAR).

“Human error by VAR and Canada should have got a second penalty,” he said at half-time.

Later in the first half, Canadian Richie Laryea fell under pressure from Axel Witsel in the penalty area

Later in the first half, Richie Laryea fell into the penalty area under pressure from Axel Witsel, but neither Sikazwe nor the VAR thought it was a foul.

Sportsmail columnist Oliver Holt wrote on Twitter: Canada is unlucky enough to be behind here at half time. Belgium played out in that first half. One penalty awarded and missed. Should have had two other penalties, but neither was given. Belgium has been terrible.’

Another fan added of the incident involving Buchanan, “This was not a call to Canada for a penalty. What the hell are we doing here.’

Another said on social media: “Canada have been robbed of two clear penalties and now it’s 1-0 to Belgium.”

Canada fell behind with a strike from Michy Batshuayi in the 44′ and that one goal proved to be the difference in Wednesday’s Group F game.

Sportsmail columnist Oliver Holt agreed that Canada should have received a total of three penalties

In January, fans labeled the Africa Cup of Nations tournament “a mess” and “shameful” after the clash between Tunisia and Mali spiraled into chaos.

Sikazwe blew the final whistle after just 85 minutes before resuming play, but then blew again with just 89 minutes and 43 seconds of the Group F clash gone.

The farcical scenes caused quite a stir on social media and fans were left unaware of what was happening.

Sikazwe is escorted off the field after controversially blowing his full-time whistle twice during Tunisia’s AFCON clash against Mali in January