Hughes: Austin ‘goal’ proves Prem wrong to snub Var

MARK HUGHES says the Premier League needs to introduce VAR if it is ever to come out of the “dark ages.”

The Southampton manager criticised referee Simon Hooper after he disallowed a Charlie Austin goal for offside during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Watford.

Striker Austin branded the decision “a joke” during a passionate post-match interview and said the video assistant referee system, used at the World Cup in the should be brought in if it will help referees.

The visitors also had reason to feel aggrieved at St Mary’s as they were denied a penalty when Ryan Bertrand, on a yellow card, brought down Nathaniel Chalobah inside the box.

Hughes, whose job prospects have been on thin ice recently, said: “It needs to come in. I was surprised they didn’t introduce it at the beginning of this season, I think a lot of people in the game were.

“A lot of other competitions have introduced it very, very quickly.

the major sports have video reviews but for some reason the Premier League, which is watched all around the world, is still in the dark ages.”

Austin turned home Nathan Redmond’s cross in the 66th minute but the strike was chalked off because Maya Yoshida – who did not touch the ball – was standing in an offside position.

Saints were a goal up at that point thanks to Manolo Gabbiadini’s first-half opener.

The hosts survived strong claims for a spot-kick early in the second period, with Watsummer, ford players surrounding referee Hooper after he waved away their appeals following Bertrand’s mistimed challenge.

Under-pressure Hughes feels that, despite guiding Saints to just one Premier League win this season, he still has the support of the club’s owners.

“There was a change made in midweek and Ralf (Krueger, club chairman) made a statement,” said Hughes, sacked by Stoke in January.

“Clearly, we’ve got to change results in terms of getting maximum points.

“But the club and the owner“All ship have seen every game this year and they know we are very, very close. It’s fine margins.”

Saints lost top scorer Danny Ings to injury in the first half, leading to the introduction of Austin. Heading into the international break, Hughes is hopeful the problem is not serious.

“Danny unfortunately overstretched in the warm-up and we weren’t sure whether he was going to start the game but he wanted to,” said Hughes.

“It might be just an overextension of the knee and it might just be a few (muscle) fibres behind the knee.