After similar technology has been successful in such events as the Grand National, VAR seemed to be the technology the game was crying out for, those suspicious of it attempts to encroach on the pureness of the game were laughed off as contrarians, now, it very much seems that video assisted referring is testing the patience of managers, players and fans alike.
The weekend the system was central in deciding the outcomes of a number of Premier League games. Desperate for a win to lift themselves of the league’s bottom places, Watford faced an equally desperate Tottenham’s side. With the match sitting at 1-0 thanks to an early Abdoulaye Doucoure effort, Quique Sánchez Flores could be forgiven for thinking his side had earned a much needed first win of the season.
That was until Dele Alli popped up with an 86th minute equaliser. With the ball seemingly coming of his arm, few were supplied when VAR displayed a ‘No Goal’ message on the screens at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
As confusion reigned the referee gave the goal. It wasn’t the only occurrence. Watford looked to have been given a penalty when Gerard Deulofeu was brought down in the area, only for VAR deciding that Jan Vertonghen had committed no offence when approaching the Spanish winger.
Leicester v Burnley
With all eyes on the Leicester fans on a day were tributes were payed to former owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a year on from his tragic helicopter crash, VAR yet again took central stage as the Foxes claimed victory over Burnley.
Goals from Jamie Vardy (given a torrid afternoon by the visiting support in the wake of Rooney-gate) and Youri Tielemans helped Leicester City to victory after finding themselves a goal down following an early Chris Wood effort.
Attempting to be the thorn in the Foxes’s side for a second time, Wood was deemed to be over-zealous in the box when Jonny Evans’ own goal looked to have brought thing level – VAR ruling out the goal.
Manchester United v Liverpool
Perhaps the most negative VAR PR was found at Old Trafford for the weekends box-office fixture. Initially looking like a foul on Divock Origi in the build up was set to rule out Marcus Rashford’s goal openerin Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool, the goal was allowed to stand much to the Merseysiders fury as VAR ruled that there was not enough contact onthe striker in the build up.
The England striker met Daniel James’ cross from close range to finish past Alisson. But Liverpool players were left were demanding for the goal to be ruled out after Victor Lindelof clipped Origi inside United’s half.
Referee Martin Atkinson was close to the incident but did not give a foul on Origi, while a VAR check did not overturn United’s goal.
Post match, Klopp showed his fury at the decision. ‘They scored a goal which shows all the problems with VAR,’ the Champions League winning manager commented
‘Mr Atkinson let the game run I’m sure because there is VAR. For me it was a clear foul.
Referee chiefs were quick to explain why Rashford’s goal was not disallowed. Speaking to SkySports, the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) returned Klopp’s comments with
“Firstly, the on-field referee didn’t think it was a foul and VAR checked/decided that it wasn’t a clear and obvious error to not award the foul,”
“Secondly, VAR isn’t re-refereeing matches – there is contact but VAR was comfortable it wasn’t enough to disallow the goal.”