"He's not even looking at the ball. That's worse than the one that was given against England."
Former England star Jermaine Jenas told the BBC: "Harry Kane has been wrestled to the ground."
Ex-England international Chris Waddle weighed in on the controversy, telling the BBC: "This is the best tournament in the world, (it's an) absolute disgrace!"
More former England stars including Gary Lineker and Ian Wright were also outraged by Kane's treatment.
Former Socceroo Craig Foster told SBS: "I thought that it was a penalty … what happens here is he (the defender) turns his back and he is wrestling Kane. Kane is trying to get to the ball and this guy is trying to get to Kane.
"As soon as a defender turns his back and his only thought, it is no longer the ball, it is just to stop you getting the ball and he (Kane) goes down, which he has every right to do — it is a penalty."
Former Premier League and A-League star Michael Bridges was furious the first-half incident didn't go the VAR for a review.
"Just look at this, he's not even watching the ball. He's manhandled," Bridges told Optus Sport. "That's a blatant penalty and how that's never gone to the VAR and the incident against Walker has (is inexplicable).
"How that never got flagged I will never know."
Writing for The Sun, English journalist Martin Lipton said: "There is no way FIFA can back the referee on that call and then not ask why the VAR official did not spot what happened with Harry Kane a few minutes later, and again in the second half.
"Just last Tuesday, I was among the journalists who sat in the Luzhniki Stadium and were told by FIFA referees chief Massimo Busacca that with 25 cameras it was 'impossible to miss' clear penalties. Well, what was that other than a clear penalty? The referee should have been told, as soon as the ball went out … that he had missed one."
England fans on social media joined the chorus of condemnation as they suggested the Tunisians would have been better off in the wrestling ring.
One theory was a foul by John Stones earlier in the passage negated what happened to Kane.
The fury only intensified when a similar incident occurred in the second half, although it didn't look as egregious a foul.
Tunisian defender Yesine Meriah tangled with the Tottenham ace but the referee appeared to indicate he thought Kane had gone down too easily.
It's the latest controversy in a tournament that has been dominated by discussion about video review.
Australian fans have been reacting to every close penalty call that hasn't been enforced by VAR with chagrin after Josh Risdon's punishment in a 2-1 defeat against France.
Fortunately for the Three Lions it didn't cost them after Kane shrugged off his disappointment to head home a winner — his second goal of the match — deep into stoppage time to help England escape with the three points.
England plays Panama on Sunday after Belgium defeated the Central American nation 3-0.
