VAR failure in Aus league final

NEWCASTLE: A technical malfunction with the video review system was blamed Sunday on the incorrect awarding of a goal that decided Australia’s soccer title, throwing fresh doubts on the technology ahead of its World Cup debut.

Australian television viewers saw replays showing James Donachie was offside when he set up Kosta Barbarouses to clinch Melbourne Victory’s 1-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets.

In review following Saturday’s A-League grand final, Football Federation Australia said the video assistant referee (VAR) did not have access to the same footage as television viewers showing the offside.

“We are extremely disappointed at this failure of the VAR technology. We understand the disappointment,” said Greg O’Rourke, the head of the A-League.

“We understand that this happened only once this season (but) at a most critical time.”

VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE (VAR) DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME FOOTAGE AS TELEVISION VIEWERS SHOWING THE OFFSIDE.

PEP BACKS DELPH

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola believes Gareth Southgate would be taking a risk if he did not name Fabian Delph in England’s World Cup squad after an impressive season from the Manchester City utility man.

Delph, 28, overcame three injury-ravaged seasons to become Guardiola’s first-choice left-back following the knee problem suffered by Benjamin Mendy. “Maybe it will be a risk if he doesn’t take him to the World Cup,” Guardiola said.