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NOT VAR-Y HAPPY

Liverpool star Dejan Lovren takes dig at one-trick pony France as he rues VAR decision against Croatia

The Croatian defender was unhappy over referee's decision to award Les Bleus the penalty and claims they won with just one tactic

DEJAN LOVREN claims nobody knows the VAR rules after France’s controversial penalty in the World Cup final.

Antoine Griezmann eventually put France 2-1 ahead after Ivan Perisic handled inside the area.

 Dejan Lovren was unhappy at the VAR decision that earned France a penalty in the final
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Dejan Lovren was unhappy at the VAR decision that earned France a penalty in the finalCredit: Reuters
 Ivan Perisic was pulled up for handling the ball in the area
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Ivan Perisic was pulled up for handling the ball in the areaCredit: AP:Associated Press
 There was a lot of uncertainty over the decision as referee Nestor Pitana took a long time before awarding a penalty
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There was a lot of uncertainty over the decision as referee Nestor Pitana took a long time before awarding a penaltyCredit: Alamy Live News

Lovren said: “Of course it needs to improve. Sometimes it is a penalty and sometimes not. I really don't understand.
“Everything is still on the ref. A lot of people say it's not a pen but what can we do now.
“We played beautiful football and when we didn't have the ball we stayed compact. But they had their chances and they scored.
“France have been one of the favourites to win the World Cup and they did it with one tactic.
“But nobody understands the rules. Our guy couldn't possibly react so why did he give it.”

Lovren went on to back team-mate Luka Modric to win the world player of the year award.
Modric won best player of the tournament but Lovren is backing him to go one better.
He added: “At least now he can be a contender. I don't see why he wouldn't be in the top three at least. "He took the best player of this tournament so if he is not now in the best three in the world then I don't know what to say.”

 Lovren was full of praise for his national team-mate Luka Modric
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Lovren was full of praise for his national team-mate Luka ModricCredit: EPA
 Modric collected the Golden Ball award, given to the tournament's best player
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Modric collected the Golden Ball award, given to the tournament's best playerCredit: Reuters
 France won the World Cup for the second time, following their 1998 success
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France won the World Cup for the second time, following their 1998 successCredit: EPA

Some of Croatia’s players are considering their international futures after the final defeat, but Lovren insists he will stay on.
He added: “It will be a good question for a lot of players. I wish we were all 24 still, especially Luka.
“There is a time when something needs to end and it will depend on individual players. I still think I can give enough, I feel young for a defender.
“For the rest I wish Luka could still play. He showed today he deserves to be the number one of the tournament and in the world. I am really proud of him.”

Croatia star Luka Modric teary as he wins Golden Ball at World Cup 2018
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