How much longer can we put up with VAR?

SOME OF THE BIZARRE DECISIONS IN TOP-FLIGHT GAMES THAT MAKE FANS OF LOWER-LEAGUE CLUBS FEEL THEY ARE BETTER OFF OUT OF IT

THERE was more VAR controversy in the Premier League on Thursday, with decisions in three matches all subsequently ruled to be incorrect.

Penalties for Manchester United at Aston Villa and Southampton at Everton should not have been awarded but Tottenham should have had one for Bournemouth striker Josh King’s push on Harry Kane.

Here, the PA news agency and betting company Spreadex look at those decisions and some of the most contentious verdicts this season.

No luck for struggling Villa

Aston Villa v Man United, 09/07/20

The first goal in a game is often vital and the penalty awarded to Manchester United broke Aston Villa’s resistance just before the half-hour.

In trying to turn on the ball, Bruno Fernandes stepped into Ezri Konsa and fell inside the area. Referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot, the decision was backed up by VAR official Graham Scott and Fernandes scored from the spot.

Moaning with Mourinho

Bournemouth v Spurs, 09/07/20

Michael Oliver has recent history with Tottenham, having been the VAR official who ruled out Lucas Moura’s goal in the defeat to Sheffield United the previous week, so manager Jose Mourinho was less than impressed by his performance against Bournemouth.

Just four minutes in they were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Kane was pushed in the back by King at a corner.

Referee Paul Tierney was unmoved and Oliver, again on VAR duties, chose not to intervene.

Ref falls for Ward-Prowse tumble

Everton v Southampton, 09/07/20

Everton’s defence had been under some pressure for almost half an hour when James Ward-Prowse got to Stuart Armstrong’s lay-off first, nudging the ball past Andre Gomes.

However, the Saints midfielder then appeared to be already falling into his opponent before Gomes made contact.

VAR official Andy Madley saw no reason to overturn the decision but Everton were ultimately saved, with

Ward-Prowse blasting his spot-kick against the crossbar.

Rashford on the line

Man United v Bournemouth, 4/07/20 It was the highest scoring game postrestart – and there could have been three more if VAR was not involved.

The most contentious incident came when Marcus Rashford had his second of the game ruled out in the 66th minute, by what must have been a sliver of toenail going by the line drawn by Stockley Park.

Hi-tech ‘farce’

Sheffield United v Spurs, 02/07/20

A famously dodgy handball call. Harry Kane saw his 32nd-minute strike ruled out because Lucas Moura’s arm hit the ball as he was fouled.

The incident was enough for Blades manager Chris Wilder to label VAR a “farce”.

Champs avoid abject embarrassment

Man City v Liverpool, 02/07/20

It could have been even more embarrassing for the newly-crowned champions. With minutes left on the clock, it looked like Riyad Mahrez had added a fifth for Man City.

Yet again, however, VAR’s overly stringent handball rules came into play, the ball brushing a grounded Phil Foden’s hand without actually changing its trajectory.

‘I really dislike VAR’

West Ham v Chelsea, 01/07/20

In a VAR double-whammy, the very top of Michail Antonio’s head was ruled offside and he was deemed to have interfered with play as Tomas Soucek thought he had given West Ham the lead.

Both decisions were questionable, especially the latter, prompting Antonio to exclaim post-game: “I really dislike VAR!” He’s clearly not alone there.

Bizarre VAR as football returns

Aston Villa v Sheff United, 7/06/20 Oddly, without fans in attendance VAR has become even more of a

mood killer. The Premier League’s return was celebrated with what is perhaps the single most bizarre VAR decision yet.

Goal-line technology failed to do what even the most visually challenged fan could have done – award Sheffield a goal after keeper Orjan Nyland clearly carried it across the line.

Inexplicably, the Hawk-Eye technology did not work as all seven cameras were blocked, meaning referee Michael Oliver did not receive a notification. He allowed play to continue, which meant VAR could not intervene, despite replays showing the ball had clearly crossed the line.

Iheanacho’s sweet strike spoiled

Norwich v Leicester, 28/02/20

It may have gone down as one of the sweetest strikes of the season if it had stood.

Instead, Kelechi Iheanacho’s almost opener was denied due to an exceedingly harsh case of handball when running through.

Hands off

Southampton v West Ham, 14/12/19 Thankfully, the Saints could not find an equaliser to Sebastien Haller’s opener.

Otherwise, West Ham would have even more reason to feel aggrieved that Michail Antonio’s second was ruled out for handball, despite his hands being suitably close to his body.

In one of the more evocative rants against the video assistant, Antonio said he was “going to have to cut his hands off” to prevent such a claim in the future.

The Hammers may still come to rue that disallowed goal, however, if the relegation battle falls to a goal difference decider.

Vertonghen’s trip

Spurs V Watford, 20/10/19

Spurs were the beneficiaries as Watford’s Gerard Deulofeu broke into the box and looked to be tripped by defender Jan Vertonghen.

No penalty was given at the time, with the Spaniard pleading with referee Chris Kavanagh to check with VAR. He did, but Kavanagh’s decision stood after the VAR official chose not to see what appeared an obvious trip.

Big toe be damned!

Spurs v Sheffield United, 09/11/19

The multi-coloured perpendicular lines are going to be an enduring image of the season, having ruled out plenty of goals for the most marginal offside decisions.

There was Roberto Firmino’s armpit at Aston Villa and Pedro Neto’s hand at Anfield, but perhaps none were more frustrating than John Lundstram’s big toe.

A ludicrous decision went in favour of the North London club as Lundstram’s big toe – and the subsequent four-minute review – stood between Sheffield and a David McGoldrick equaliser.

Given that the Blades did go on to draw things level with Spurs, McGoldrick’s contested goal could have given Sheffield all three points, changing up the race for a spot in Europe.

Tottenham lose coin-toss decision Leicester v Spurs, 21/09/19

Tottenham were here on the wrong end of VAR’s inconsistencies, as a barely perceptible case of offside against Son Heung-min – truly a coin-toss decision, and everything people hate VAR for – meant Serge Aurier’s second for Spurs did not count.

Seconds later Leicester equalised, compounding Tottenham’s frustrations. Well, that’s life...

Mood setter

Man City v Tottenham, 17/08/19

In a game early enough in the season that it could have had a psychological impact on the title race, Gabriel Jesus was denied an injury time winner against Spurs after VAR decreed that the ball had brushed the arm of Aymeric Laporte in the build-up.

That this came just four months after Raheem Sterling had a goal ruled out in their Champions League thriller merely added salt to the wound.