Controversial handball call sparks outrage after Czech Republic draw with South Africa

Czech Republic and South Africa drew 1-1 on Thursday in their second match of the World Cup, after a disputed handball by Pavel Schulz in the penalty area led to a penalty. The decision immediately triggered sharp criticism in Czech media and online, with many arguing that the defender’s arm was tight to his body and did not affect the play.

According to the local SPORT outlet, the team was also criticized for being too slow, with one report saying, “We were too slow. It was a needless and unnecessary mistake that led to the penalty, and the substitutions came too late.” Others questioned why VAR did not step in and overturn the call.

On social media, the popular account Astax wrote, “Where is VAR? What are we missing,” while another reaction called it “a confusing rule, a very bad whistle. The harshest refereeing mistake in the World Cup so far.” FIFA had not yet explained the decision at the time of publication.

The controversy came despite a low overall number of penalties in this World Cup. Before the tournament, coaches and players received a video briefing on all possible handball scenarios in the penalty area. The Czech team’s failure to win was described as a costly missed opportunity against one of the weaker sides in the group.