VG United's players storm the field following their penalty kick-out win against Wolues in the final of the 2025 President's Cup on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Photo: Facebook

VG United are the 2025 President’s Cup Champions. The boys from Virgin Gorda defeated Wolues 4-3 on penalties in the final at the football field in Greenland on Sunday, May 11, 2025, to retain the title. Photo: Facebook/File

Wolues goalkeeper Simon Cross saved one of the penalty kicks from VG United but the assistant referee erroneously raised his flag to indicate that the goalkeeper had come off his line before the kick was made. Photo: YouTube

It was a thrilling final that went down to penalties after the score after regulation time was 2-2. Jaadon Quashie and Bernard Cumberbatch were the goal scorers for VG United.

Wolues’ goals came from Hugo Lizario and Ciaran Johnston.

‘Controversy’

Recently controversy over officiating has been permeating football even on the international scene, and unfortunately the final last evening was not spared of it.

Wolues goalkeeper Simon Cross saved one of the penalty kicks from VG United but the assistant referee raised his flag to indicate that the goalkeeper had come off his line before the kick was made.

The call, on video review after the game livestreamed on 284 Media, proved to be an erroneous one. One of Simon’s feet was clearly behind the goal line at the time of the kick; however, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is currently not used in the Virgin Islands.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Law 14, regarding penalty kicks, states: “When the ball is kicked, the defending goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot touching, in line with, or behind, the goal line.”

Wolues; however, did have an opportunity to put the game into a sudden-death penalty, but their final kick was saved.

VG United had reached the final at the expense of Panthers FC, while Wolues eliminated Islanders.

There was no third-place game.