Wenger questions Barca penalties

THE availability of the foreign-based duo of Vitallis Chikoko and Julian Mavunga for next weekend’s AfroBasket qualifiers at City Sports Centre in Harare is in doubt.

National team coach Emmanuel Mukandi would have wanted to have the France-based Chikoko and the Japanbased Mavunga on his roster, but indications are that the pair will not be jetting in.

The biggest stumbling block the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe is facing in bringing in the two is that clubs reserve the right not to release players if the request does not come at least 30 days before the international engagement they are being called up for.

The AfroBasket qualifiers were only confirmed a fortnight ago.

“There was a delay from Fiba Africa in ARSENE WENGER has intensified his call for video replays to be introduced in football, saying UEFA will soon face lawsuits if they don’t do more to help referees.

Wenger was furious with the referee after Arsenal’s 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday and also highlighted Barcelona’s two penalties in their epic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain as further evidence that match officials need more help.

Luis Suarez was accused of diving to earn Barcelona their second penalty, while many felt Neymar also went down easily for the first spot kick of the game.And Wenger said it’s “indefensible” for UEFA to put up with bad refereeing in Europe’s top competition and warned that the governing body will eventually end up in court if they don’t make better use of technology.

“Honestly I believe that in the next five years, if UEFA does not bring video in, they could face legal action from television or from fans because they refuse to progress for the right decisions,” Wenger said.

“The fans and television companies pay a lot of money and they spoil the package because they don’t do the maximum to give a fair spectacle. ... Is the first [Barcelona] penalty a penalty? The second one? Honestly...”

Wenger has long been a supporter of video technology and has often been at odds with referees this season. AFC Bournemouth 3-2 West Ham Everton 3-0 West Brom Hull City 2-1 Swansea Liverpool v Burnley 6PM Middlesbrough 0-2 Manchester City Arsenal v Lincoln City (Played late) Tottenham v Millwall 4PM Chelsea v Man U 9:45PM. – Soccernet