Ex-referee reveals 'very bad' tactic Harry Kane is using when talking to official during England vs Argentina

A former Premier League referee has claimed England captain Harry Kane is consistently using a tactic which makes officials get “fed up” with him during the Three Lions’ World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

England vs Argentina has and always will be a fiery affair for reasons bigger than football.

Ahead of the semi-final clash, much of the media narrative centred around Argentine supporters singing anti-England songs related to the 1982 Falklands War, as well as Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Forty years on, England’s semi-final clash against the South Americans proved to be a cagey and fiery affair, with Argentina pulling out all the dark arts and making several strong and late challenges.

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Jude Bellingham and Elliot Anderson, who received a first-half booking, were in the thick of several physical and verbal exchanges, while Lisandro Martínez was booked on 43 minutes for pulling back Morgan Rogers as England attempted a counter-attack.

Supporters were bemused by the fact it took almost the entire first half for Argentina to receive a booking, given that Enzo Fernández had somehow evaded one despite committing a number of fouls.

And despite some aggressive tactics from the reigning champions, former Premier League referee Graham Scott was critical of England skipper Kane.

In a section of The Athletic’s live coverage, he wrote: “Kane in the referee's ear as usual. The England captain is very bad at it though — he just asks sarcastic leading questions.

“It often has the opposite effect because the ref just gets fed up with him.”

However, fans offered a mixed view on social media.

One wrote: “Raises an interesting point about whether team captains should be trained, maybe by a psychologist, as to how to speak to the ref. Marginal gains.”

Another added: “Meanwhile Argentina like every other south American team whine and cry and crowd the ref with everyone. Using every time wasting tactic in the book. They play like b**ches.”

A third claimed: “The debate over players talking to referees continues. Kane’s leadership style includes constant communication, but some feel too much pressure on officials can have the opposite effect.”

While a fourth commented: “Talking to the referee is part of the game—but how you do it matters. If you're constantly complaining or being sarcastic, you can end up hurting your own team's chances more than helping them.”

The winners of the semi-final clash will face Spain at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on Sunday (July 19).