Controversial Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan hogs Tunisia-England limelight

Colombian referee Wilamr Roldan has stolen center stage ahead of Tunisia’s World Cup Group G opener against England.

Roldan’s assignment to the match has even overshadowed news of Tunisia declaring their squad fully-fit for the highly-anticipated encounter.

The 38-year-old whistleman will be seeking to shrug off unfamiliar piece of history from last year’s Confederations Cup when he wrongly sent off Cameroon midfielder Sebastian Siani before VAR came to his rescue.

Roldan also hogged the limelight at the Copa Libertadores semi-final last November when he denied River Plate a clear penalty against Lanus, a decision which apparently saw the Argentine club eliminated.

Now given the responsibility of handling Monday’s tie, Roldan is already the center of attraction ahead the much-expected tie.

After weeks of injury worries, Tunisia go into the game in Volgograd boasting the return of winger Wahbi Khazri and defender Ali Maaloul who have both recovered from injuries.

The duo’s race to fitness had been a major concern in the Tunisia camp.

“I am 100 percent ready to face England, I have no more pain. It is going to be a tough game against a big team. I hope we are in good shape that day and our aim is to win,” Khazri said ahead of the match.

Khazri has been out of action since April, missing all Tunisia's warm-up games.

Maaloul has been a regular left-back of late but missed training last week.