Video system reduces replay to ‘shambles’

THE VAR system was slammed as an “absolute shambles” as Tottenham’s FA Cup fifth-round replay with Rochdale fell into farce and controversy before Spurs won 6-1.

Erik Lamela had a sixthminute goal ruled out following a foul by Fernando Llorente, after referee Paul Tierney consulted the video assistant.

Then, after Son HeungMin put Spurs in front, Tierney gave them a 26th-minute penalty when VAR was used – but disallowed Son’s spot-kick, and booked the South Korean after he stopped in his run-up – a move now outlawed by football authorities.

Bemused fans booed at half-time and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was left shaking his head.

Former Spurs player and BT Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas said: “It’s an absolute shambles.

“They have taken something that could be so good for the game and it’s actually comical at times with the amount of time that it’s taking and the fact that nobody knows what is going on. And EDDIE JONES has vowed never to use public transport again after being targeted by Scottish hooligans following England’s Calcutta Cup defeat.

The England coach says he was sledged and manhandled on a train journey back to England from Edinburgh last Sunday. It was a journey that shook the 58-year-old to the core. He said: “I’m a human being. I don’t consider myself any different from anyone else.

“For me to travel on public transport I thought was OK. But I’ll make sure I won’t in future. It’s as simple as that.

“I never knock back a request for a selfie unless I’m racing somewhere so I try to do the right thing by the fans, but if that happens then you’ve got to have a look at your own safety.”

The Australian blamed the inflammatory language used by past and present Scotland players ahead of last Saturday’s game for stoking the ill-feeling towards him.