‘Tyrone Mings heard there was no VAR and chose violence!’ Fans left stunned after the England defender escapes punishment following a forearm smash off the ball in win over Austria
- Tyrone Mings played an hour before being substituted in England’s warm up win
- But the Aston Villa defender could have easily been sent off during the first half
- Mings gave Austria star Sasa Kalajdzic a cynical and dangerous forearm smash
- But match officials failed to spot the incident and VAR was not in use
- Supporters were left stunned at Mings’ rash play in the friendly encounter
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here.
Tyrone Mings has left supporters stunned after somehow avoiding punishment for a cynical and dangerous challenge during England’s win over Austria.
The Aston Villa defender was given his chance to impress at centre-back alongside Conor Coady for the pre-Euro 2020 friendly, with England still without lead defender Harry Maguire through injury.
Although the pair helped the Three Lions keep a clean sheet following the 1-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium, Mings was incredibly fortunate to remain on the pitch during the first half.
Stopping a run from Sasa Kalajdzic, Tyrone Mings cynically blocked the striker with a forearm
The Austria striker went down following the assault which was not spotted by match officials
As Austria attacked, Mings cynically blocked the run of Sasa Kalajdzic inside the box by dangerously bodychecking the striker with a forearm to the face.
Fortunately for the defender not only was VAR not in use for the international friendly, but the referee and his assistants also missed the off-the-ball incident which allowed Mings to escape the challenge completely unpunished.
It does though raise concerns for England defenders’ capabilities heading into Euro 2020 with their first game coming in just 10 days time against Croatia.
Mings battles Kalajdzic for the ball in a separate incident during England’s 1-0 victory
With VAR in use for the European Championship, fans were dumbstruck by Mings’ attempt at defending with one supporter even claiming it would have been a foul in ice hockey.
They said: ‘This is why football needs VAR by the way. Never seen a clearer penalty than this literal bodycheck by Mings on Kalajdzic… That’s a foul even in b***** ice hockey!’
Another supporter claimed Mings would have been given away a penalty and would have been sent off if it was during the Euros, saying: ‘At the Euros, with VAR in place, Tyrone Mings would have given away a penalty and got sent off. What the hell is he doing!?’
Mings shares a joke with his defensive partner Conor Coady following the friendly victory
Sections of fans believe Mings was capitalising on no VAR being present, stating: ‘Mings heard there was no VAR and chose violence.’
Others reacted with surprise at the outrageous nature of the challenge, saying: ‘Jesus Christ Mings’ accompanied with a laughing emjoi, and another showed sarcasm by inferring that the 28-year-old was ‘not that type of player.’
Mings eventually departed just after the hour mark following Bukayo Saka’s eventual winner, but only as a substitute after being replaced by Ben Godfrey.
If he features in the opening group game against Croatia, England supporters will be hoping at the very least that he remembers VAR will be in use.