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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Kane brought down in the box</li><li>Appealed immediately for a penalty</li><li>Booked by official, with VAR not intervening</li></ul>

WATCH: England captain Harry Kane denied strong penalty claim against Malta and is inexplicably booked for diving - with VAR choosing NOT to intervene

UEFA Nations League B

England

Ireland

Kane interecepted a pass from goalkeeper Bonello in the Malta penalty area and appeared to be nicked on his ankle by the shot stopper's trailing arm as he dived for the ball. The referee, though, saw it differently and booked Kane for diving, much to the bemusement of the Bayern forward. VAR opted against intervening.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kane booked for diving but should this have been a penalty 🧐<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThreeLions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThreeLions</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURO2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EURO2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/E8PICy24j7">pic.twitter.com/E8PICy24j7</a>— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) <a href="https://twitter.com/C4Sport/status/1725609851638649110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Harry Kane receives a yellow card for simulation 🟨 <a href="https://t.co/6bw7WLNNt0">pic.twitter.com/6bw7WLNNt0</a>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1725609108194160773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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WATCH THE CLIP

Replays showed that Bonello made contact with Kane's ankle, so there should have been a VAR review at the very least, although the decision was not deemed to be a clear and obvious error. Kane and his team-mates were particularly aghast, and manager Gareth Southgate was also seen questioning the decision with the fourth official.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

England took a 1-0 lead through an own goal from Enrico Pepe and will hope to see the victory out. Given Malta's standing in the international game, one has to think that Kane will be out to boost his own goal tally.

WHAT NEXT?

WATCH: England captain Harry Kane denied strong penalty claim against Malta and is inexplicably booked for diving - with VAR choosing NOT to intervene | Goal.com English Oman

England captain Harry Kane was denied a penalty against Malta on Friday, and was booked for diving after a challenge from goalkeeper Henry Bonello.