VAR is killing football, says Holden after defeat
DEAN Holden admitted that it was “difficult to take” Bristol City’s FA Cup exit at Sheffield United on Wednesday night after a VAR decision went against them.
With the game still goalless in the 65th minute, the Robins initially looked to have survived a scramble in the box as Alfie Mawson turned a shot against the crossbar before Tomas Kalas cleared off the line.
However, match referee Robert Jones then consulted the monitor on the advice of VAR official Anthony Taylor and a penalty was given for Mawson’s use of his hand to deflect
David McGoldrick’s powerful shot against the woodwork.
It looked a harsh outcome to award the spot-kick, with a red card issued to the on-loan Fulham defender to add salt to the wounds.
Following the game, head coach Holden was asked his opinion about the decisive moment, with Billy Sharp netting the only goal of the cup clash from the subsequent spotkick to send the Robins spiralling out of the competition.
Holden said: “I thought it was a really disappointing way to lose a game of football.
“I think we’ve shown a great response from the performance on Saturday (2-0 defeat to Cardiff ).
We’ve had a big chance in the first half through Tomas Kalas and a great chance just after half-time when we go through, two-on-one, and don’t make the correct decision.
“To lose a game on a VAR decision like that is difficult to take. If it was played at Ashton Gate, it wouldn’t have been given as you don’t have VAR at a Championship stadium.
“It’s difficult to take, I’ve got to be honest. I thought the performance levels were good.”
Holden also revealed Mawson’s reaction to the incident. The boss added: “He feels responsible. He shouldn’t do, because I don’t even think it was a handball.
“I’ve never been a fan of VAR and it’s going to come across really bitterly, but I think it’s killing the game of football.
“To lose a game like that, two heroic bits of defending to block the ball from going into our goal – I don’t even think it was a handball in real time, no one really appealed for it. But that’s the rules. Hopefully when we get this club to the Premier League, we’ll have to deal with more situations like that.
“In terms of the performance, I thought Ryley Towler at left wingback was outstanding on his debut. It’s just a difficult way to lose a game. But we’ll pick ourselves up and go to Watford with the belief that we can get our season going in the League.”