Advertisement

It was another entertaining weekend of captivating football, but all the drama that unfolded by overshadowed by the VAR ruling. Right from Premier League to La Liga, the use of Video Assisted Referee has been called into question since the very first gameweek of the 2019/20 football season.

On Saturday, Manchester United were awarded a penalty after the full-time whistle, and riding on its back, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men registered their first victory of the season, defeating Brighton 3-2 away from home.

“We feel so sore,” commented Brighton boss Graham Potter. 

High-flying Everton also benefited from the technology in their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace which prompted Eagles boss Roy Hodgson saying the decision was “nonsense”. The next victim were Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur, who were cruising on their second victory of the season only to be denied points against Newcastle United in the injury time. Callum Wilson slotted home with a tidy finish and Tottenham had to do with a 1-1 draw.

“If I want to give some money I give to charity,” he commented. “I don’t want to give to the FA so I prefer not to comment,” said Jose Mourinho.

Even Magpies boss Steve Bruce expressed his discontent: “If you’re going to tell me that is handball then we all may as well pack it in,” he said in his post-match interview with Sky Sports.

“It’s a nonsense, a nonsense of a rule. It’s gone for us today – however, it’s ludicrous.”

In Spain, defending champions Real Madrid were rescued by VAR to beat Real Betis 3-2. Captain Sergio Ramos chipped the ball into the net from the spot in the 82nd minute after a VAR review for a handball by defender Marc Bartra, who appeared to have been pushed by forward Borja Mayoral.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / John Sibley

Advertisement