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      The ‘middle-ground’ that could save VAR, as FA Cup proved football can do just fine without it

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      FOOTBALL life without VAR is bearable.More than that – by all the evidence from the FA Cup so far, it is a reasonable proposition.VAR continues to cause controversy week after week in the Premier LeagueCredit: AlamyNewcastle’s FA Cup win at League One Birmingham showed we don’t need total VARCredit: GettyOne incident in particular provides support for this view. It occurred when Birmingham goalkeeper Bailey Peacock- Farrell beat away a shot from Newcastle’s Joe Willock on or beyond the goal-line.Blues supporters thought the man with the fanciest name in football had just kept out the shot until the linesman flagged and referee Matt Donohue waved play to the centre spot.Willock had equalised and his side went on to win the fourth-round tie 3-2.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWith no goal-line technology in play because the match was held at a League One ground, imagine VAR trying to pick that apart.Referee Donahue would have asked for a ruling on a very tight decision. Cue a delay while set-squares and microscopes were (imaginatively) brought into play and a verdict finally reached.Not exactly the magic of technology.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSI prefer the speed of the ref’s reaction, his assistant’s verdict here was swift and almost certainly correct. No VAR no cry. What a shame that we’ll now see VAR used for the rest of the competition.Moment Nottingham Forest fans ‘try to bribe Anthony Taylor’ during VAR check as hilarious footage goes viralIt used to be carry-on regardless in the Premier League, too, but in the endless squabble between perfectionists and realists, the seekers of absolute truth won.It may be less than an invention to suggest a referee be able to press a button and an AI verdict will come back instantly with an answer.Until that slightly worrying day, let us be pleased that necessity led the FA for a while to abide by the whistle and leave VAR to gather dust.People fortunate enough to support a Premier League club are less lucky and have total VAR complete with constant interruptions. EFL have it in play-off finals and promise it elsewhere very soon.There are, it is true, several plusses to technology, such as quick and correct answers on whether a goal-line has been crossed.MARK HALSEY: Questions have to be asked of VAR after Lewis-Skelly sending off… here’s what SHOULD have happenedBy Mark HalseyVAR Darren England should have recommended a review as soon as referee Michael Oliver showed Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red card for his challenge on Wolves’ Matt Doherty.An official has to decide whether the challenge was careless or reckless — careless is a free-kick only, reckless is a yellow card — or worthy of a red card.When a player lunges at an opponent with one or two feet from the front, the side or from the back which endangers the player’s safety with excess force or/and brutality, it must be sanctioned with a red.I saw it as a reckless challenge worthy of a yellow, not a red.So why did Darren not recommend a review? Once the red card was shown, the VAR should have intervened.If Michael had the opportunity to view the challenge again, I’m sure he would have changed his mind, cancelled the red card and issued a yellow.As for Arsenal fans’ views that Michael is biased against them, I’m not buying into that. You can never question the integrity of a match official and Michael is one of our best referees.Officials cannot get everything right and that is why we have VAR to help. So questions have to be asked of Darren.With the second yellow for Joao Gomes after catching Jurrien Timber on the ankle, you could argue that was a worse challenge than the Lewis-Skelly one.The major success of VAR, however, is the speed and precision of offside verdicts.Linesmen are good judges but inevitably do not always find it possible to decide on the basis of the length of a foot or elbow. On VAR it is a doddle and quick.Not so with free-kicks or yellow or red cards. These decisions are sometimes a good deal longer and often dubious.VAR itself does not make corrections, it is a helpmate for refs to make theirs.The methodology is sound but perfection is no easier to find than the holy grail. Never-before-seen moment in English football as referee speaks to crowd to confirm why Spurs goal ruled out vs LiverpoolStill, because VAR gives referees a second look, it soon became the Japanese knotweed of our game – once present, nothing short of a bomb will stop it.Various methods are being tried to speed up the process and waiting times have been cut to average 64 seconds. Yet the solution is easy to see. Bin total VAR. Trust the ref.Football was successful for well over a century before VAR. Referees in those days might have protested at being held responsible for United or City losing but the truth is they still are.They are the focus of the blame game and although do-gooders thought VAR would rectify all errors and cut down offensive and obscene shouting among fans, it hasn’t.READ MORE SUN STORIESOverall, I would compromise. Tech works on line decisions but is very slow and almost as faulty for fouls given by refs who take only a fraction of the time.And it’s easier to forgive a wrong decision made by genuine human error, than one made by a machine. More

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      Brighton vs Chelsea live stream: How to watch huge Premier League clash TONIGHT

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      BRIGHTON and Chelsea rematch last week’s FA Cup tie in HUGE Friday night Premier League clash.The Seagulls knocked out Enzo Maresca’s side from the FA Cup last weekend after a controversial Kaoru Mitoma winner was enough to see the south coast side through.Marc Cucurella will be hoping for a better result on his second return to Brighton this seasonCredit: Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesKaoru Mitoma was the difference when Brighton beat Chelsea in the FA CupCredit: David Horton / SPPThe Blues have endured a mixed start to 2025 but still sit inside the top four, heading back to the Amex for the second time in six days weeks.Fabian Hurzeler will be pleased to have made the next round of the FA Cup, but this fixture is their first in the league since a resounding 7-0 thrashing at the City Ground by the hands of high-flying Nottingham Forest.How to watch Brighton vs ChelseaThe game will be live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.Chelsea’s trip to Brighton will also be available on Sky Go and the Sky Sports app.Coverage will also be available via SunSport’s live blog.Kick off will be at 8pm GMT from the Amex in Brighton.Read more FootballBrighton vs Chelsea team newsBrighton:Injury crisis at Brighton means they are without a handful of regular first team players.Pervis Estupinan remains out, while Lewis Dunk is a doubt, after suffering an injury last weekend.Mats Wieffer could return on the bench for the Seagulls.Solly March, James Milner, Igor, Ferdi Kadioglu and Jason Steele are all likely to miss out with injury. Chelsea: Nicolas Jackson is expected to miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up against West Ham.Marc Guiu is also out for at least the whole of February, meaning Christopher Nkunku may have to play as a makeshift striker.Enzo Maresca also confirmed that Robert Sanchez is no longer his number one, with Filip Jorgensen expected to start in goal. Reece James is available, while Wesley Fofana is expected to return in two or three weeks.Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badisahille remain out. Most read in FootballWhat other Premier League games are there this weekend?Brighton and Chelsea will be the first of ten Premier League games on offer this weekend:Leicester vs Arsenal – Sat, Feb 15 – 12:30pm GMT – TNT SportsAston Villa vs Ipswich – Sat, Feb 15 – 3pm GMTFulham vs Nottingham Forest – Sat, Feb 15 – 3pm GMTManchester City vs Newcastle – Sat, Feb 15 – 3pm GMTSouthampton vs Bournemouth – Sat, Feb 15 – 3pm GMTWest Ham vs Brentford – Sat, Feb 15 – 3pm GMTCrystal Palace vs Everton – Sat, Feb 15 – 5:30pm GMT – Sky SportsLiverpool vs Wolves – Sun, Feb 16 – 2pm GMT – Sky SportsTottenham vs Manchester United, Sun, Feb 16 – 4:30pm GMT – Sky Sports More

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      Watch Thierry Henry torment his opponent in Match for Hope to win penalty in cheekiest way

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      ARSENAL legend Thierry Henry has rolled back the years – at the expense of influencer Tobi Brown. The Gunners legend, 47, is playing for Team KSI in the 2025 Match for Hope.Thierry Henry was up to his old tricks in the 2025 Match For HopeCredit: YouTube / @ChunkzThe French superstar began doing keepy-ups to trick defender Tobi BrownCredit: YouTube / @ChunkzHenry tempted influencer Brown into a rash tackleCredit: YouTube / @ChunkzThe Frenchman immediately appealed for a penalty for handballCredit: YouTube / @ChunkzHenry joined a host of fellow legends for the charity event in Qatar. And the 47-year-old showed off some of the flair that made him one of the Prem’s best-ever players. With his side leading 3-2 just before the break, Henry began doing keepy-ups as he took on YouTube star Brown.Tobi – known as TBJZL – was bamboozled by the Frenchman’s fast feet.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe lunged forward to try and tackle, with his arms flailing about in the process.Henry waited for Bown to commit and then attempted to cross, with the ball striking Tobi’s arm.The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot, with Henry producing a trademark grin for the cameras. One fan responded: “Thierry Henry with the masterclass! Tobi didn’t stand a chance there!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother said: “Pure filth.”While a third argued: “i know its a charity game, but how is that a pen?”Kate Abdo left in disbelief as she hides face after Thierry Henry’s controversial comment live on CBS Sports Earlier in the contest, Team KSI went behind after a bizarre head-loss from their captain.KSI put through his own goal under no pressure from the opposition, crumpling to his knees in embarrassment. Fans were quick to brand his effort the “worst own goal ever.”The Match for Hope aims to raise money for an estimated 70,000 schoolchildren in countries around the world.It sees teams of both influencers and ex-pros go head-to-head, with Henry, Alexander Del Piero and David Silva all involved this year.Last year’s edition raised more than £7million for charity. More

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      Liverpool boss Arne Slot charged by FA following Everton chaos – but WILL be in dugout against Wolves after ban blunder

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      ARNE SLOT has been slapped with an FA charge following Wednesday’s Merseyside madness.The final clash between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park ended in chaos sparked by James Tarkowski’s 98th minute equaliser.Arne Slot spoke to Michael Oliver after the final whistleCredit: GettyThe Dutchman appeared to be unhappy with referee OliverCredit: ReutersCurtis Jones, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, were all sent off after full-time.Both the coaches and the two clubs have been charged following the incident.Liverpool and Everton face charges for failing to control the behaviour of their players.Slot erupted at referee Michael Oliver, for which he was shown a red card, but has also been charged for comments made after his dismissal.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Reds boss will be in the dugout at Wolves this weekend before learning his fate – which could be a two-match ban.In a statement, The FA said: “The Liverpool manager allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee after the match had finished.”It is further alleged that he acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official after being sent off.”Slot, 46, spoke earlier today ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Wolves this weekend.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSSlot looked perplexed as he was shown a red cardCredit: GettyOn the incident that saw him sent off in mid-week, he said: “There’s an ongoing process now and I think I have to respect that we have to respect that so can’t go into details.”What happened was that the extra time, five minutes that ended up being eight, happens a lot.New footage of Arne Slot’s interaction with Michael Oliver emerges as mystery surrounds Liverpool manager’s red card “The emotions go the better of me. I would love to do it differently and am looking to do it differently next time as well, but I don’t want to disturb the ongoing process.”On Jones’ suspension, Slot added: “The good thing is we have played so many games. He got a second yellow I assume so that’s only one game.”Next Wednesday there is a game, he comes back from an injury so he already missed a few games.”I liked him a lot when he came on. It was our best part of the game, the only part of the game where I felt a bit of comfort and where it felt like a bit of control. That is maybe because we went 2-1 up.”I like a lot that he stands up for the team but I think there are also other ways to do that for the team and the fans.”I will talk with him about that.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But it is the same for me, I should have acted differently after the game as well.”But it is an emotional game and sometimes people make the wrong decisions in an emotional moment and that’s what I did.”Slot also discussed Curtis Jones’ red cardCredit: Rex More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo tipped for stunning career change after retirement and has ‘attributes you need’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has been tipped to become a FIGHTER by Francis Ngannou.The MMA legend held the UFC heavyweight world title before switching to boxing.Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to switch goals for knockoutsCredit: GettyFrancis Ngannou thinks CR7 has the attributes to become a fighterCredit: GettyThe pair have struck up a friendship in recent yearsCredit: Instagram @francisngannouNgannou went up against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia over the last two years, which led to him rubbing shoulders with Al-Nassr star Ronaldo.They are now close friends and Ngannou told Sportsbook Review that CR7, 40, has what it takes to step into the ring once he hangs up his boots.He said: “[Ronaldo] loves combat sports. I think Cristiano is the kind of guy that maybe when he was younger you could have said doesn’t have the attributes to be a player. “But he’s such a hard-worker, disciplined and focused on what he wants. READ MORE IN SPORT”I think he has the attribute that you need to become a fighter. Dedication and discipline.”We have a very good relationship. I went to Saudi for the first time two years ago and I had the opportunity to meet Cristiano.”He was in the pool with his family and we were there for like 45 minutes just chatting next to the pool and stuff – it just felt very genuine.  “We looked like people that knew each other for a very long time but it was the very first time. It was one of those times you have to pinch yourself. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”From then we picked it up on DM’s on Instagram and then he asked for my number.”Ngannou loves football just as much as Ronaldo enjoys watching MMA and boxing, with the Cameroonian recently getting the VIP treatment at Al-Nassr and Manchester United games.Francis Ngannou tackles Andre Onana to floor moments after Man Utd’s win over Bodo-GlimtHe joined compatriot Andre Onana on the pitch after their Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt earlier this season and was spotted play-fighting with the goalkeeper.On what the future holds for Ngannou, he said: “I will do boxing next. I’m not done with boxing. “It’s not that MMA is easy – it’s the sport that I understand better and I have more experience in – but I say go for boxing.” More

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      ‘I cannot explain it to this day’ – Gary Neville admits biggest regret of his football career still haunts him now

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      GARY NEVILLE won the lot with Manchester United – but claims there’s one huge “disappointment” on the pitch he’ll never get over.The 1999 Treble winner won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups and 85 England caps.Gary Neville revealed the one huge huge frustration of his playing daysCredit: GettyBrothers Gary and Phil Neville celebrated after Man Utd beat Bayern Munich in the European Cup final to complete the Treble in 1989-99Credit: Allsport – GettyThe former right-back, who will be 50 on Monday, admits opposition players “absolutely despised him”.But that’s not what bothers him – especially as he even reckons they were RIGHT to hate him!Nev is now a Sky Sports pundit, successful businessman and one of the United Class of 92 group who helped take over Salford in 2014.And he believes a vow he made at the age of 36, to enjoy the second half of his life even more than the first, is proceeding well.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, he is haunted by his record with the Three Lions.Neville played under Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren for England from 1995-2007.He was part of the “Golden Generation” – an era launched with a 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory away to Germany in September 2001.That squad also included Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and Michael Owen.Most read in FootballGary Neville & Co exited the 2006 World Cup to Portugal on penaltiesCredit: GettyBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSEriksson took that incredible selection of individual talents to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments in a row.But their failure to get beyond that stage in the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup is regarded as a wasted opportunity. ‘It’ll become so toxic’ – Gary Neville pinpoints exact date he thinks Tottenham will sack Ange PostecoglouAbove all, England never quite worked out how to use their clutch of world class midfielders – or whether to drop some to ensure a better balance to the team.And Neville, arguably the most unsung member of the side, expects his frustration over his international CV to remain forever.Even more so because he was a coach under Roy Hodgson when the Three Lions flopped at Euro 2012 and the World Cup two years later.Nev told The Times: “It’s one of my biggest disappointments.”I’ve been to eight tournaments as a player, and then a coach, and I think in five we were knocked out on penalties. “I look at the current team, who have got through on penalties, and the mentality, what they’ve done in preparation terms, and think it could have been so different for us.“I was playing with an exceptional group of players at times but we didn’t know how to get over the line. I cannot explain it to this day.”Neville accepts that club rivalries – in particular with United and Liverpool – might have played a part in the Golden Generation under-achieving.He said: “We carried something into the games because there was such animosity at times. “I think I carried it as a player: anti-everybody else, siege mentality; United, or everyone else can do one. There was no doubt that Alex Ferguson created that at the club and we bought into it, carried that with us.”Nev added: “To be fair I look back and think I’d absolutely despise me if I was playing against me!READ MORE SUN STORIES“For me the idea of being despised was a trophy. I want to be despised, I didn’t want you to like me. “But maybe at times [with England] there was something of a hangover. You’re kicking lumps out of each other and then, all of a sudden, you rock up and you’ve got to be team-mates.” More

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      Embarrassed KSI scores horror own goal before getting brutally mocked by opponent in Match for Hope

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      KSI has been brutally mocked after a bizarre own goal in the 2025 Match for Hope.The YouTuber-turned-boxer, 31, left fans and teammates bemused after the bizarre moment during the charity match in Qatar. KSI put through his own goal in Friday’s Match for HopeCredit: XThe YouTuber bizarrely found the back of the net as he attempted a clearanceCredit: XKSI fell to the floor and was mobbed by ecstatic players from the other teamCredit: XKSI – captain of his own XI in the contest – attempted to cut out a cross from fellow streaming star iShowSpeed eight minutes into the game. But the 31-year-old inexplicably turned the ball into his own net as he tried to clear. KSI sank to the floor in embarrassment, with rival captain Chunkz diving on him in celebration.One fan gasped on X: “This is the most KSI thing to happen.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnother said: “I think that might be the worst own goal ever.”While a third claimed: “KSI with the most scripted own goal of all time.”The Match for Hope aims to raise money for an estimated 70,000 schoolchildren in countries around the world.It sees teams of both influencers and ex-pros go head-to-head in a chaotic 90 minutes.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLast year more than $8.8million (£7million) was raised for charity. The chas will be split between schools in Palestine, Sudan, Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Pakistan.Incredible body-cam footage shows what it was like to play against Hazard, Drogba & Co after Match For Hope charity gameThis year’s edition features legends including Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry, Alessandro Del Piero and David Silva. While ex-Premier League bosses Arsene Wenger and Mauricio Pochettino are in the dugouts. KSI’s unfortunate moment opened the floodgates at both ends of the field. The goals flowed before halftime, with SIX flying in as both defences crumbled in Qatar.And despite KSI’s bizarre OG, his team triumphed 6-5 in a thriller. More

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      ‘I never wanted to go to England’ – Real Madrid star reveals he rejected fortunes to join Arsenal despite going on trial

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      REAL MADRID star Federico Valverde has revealed that he rejected Arsenal at the age of 16.The midfielder, now 26, was part of Penarol’s academy in his native Uruguay at the time.Federico Valverde has established himself as a key man at MadridCredit: RexValverde has revealed that “vultures” sent him to London for a week-long trial – but that he never felt “comfortable” in England.Reliving the experience, he told The Players’ Tribune: “If you Google me, you will see stories about how I almost went to Arsenal when I was 16.”That’s maybe half-true. It’s nothing against Arsenal, but I never wanted to go to England.”At that time, the business side of football took over. Certain people were telling me, ‘Who wouldn’t want to go play for Arsenal? You want to stay here in Uruguay? That’s crazy!’READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”What they were really saying under their breath was, ‘We can all make a lot of money if you go.'”‘Damn, Fede, if you go to Arsenal, you’ll have a nice bed and a shower that stays warm for 30, 40 minutes! Who wouldn’t want that life?'”On the pressures that he resisted, Valverde added: “You realise that your life is not your own in football. Especially at a young age, you feel more like a hostage.”Even your family becomes a hostage. Football is an escape to a better life, especially for us in South America, and the vultures know that. They put the pressure on you in a ‘nice’ way.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”They sent me on trial to London for a week, and I just wasn’t comfortable. If you only think of material things, it sounds great. But we are not robots.”The reality was that my family couldn’t come to London with me. I’d have to live alone, not speaking the language, at 16-years-old.Watch Real Madrid star Valverde’s wild strike land in someone’s BALCONY as Los Blancos suffer first loss of the season”For every one kid who succeeds moving overseas, you don’t see the 100 who fail. I was either crazy enough or courageous enough to say no. Give me freezing showers as long as I can stay with my family. In my head, I was thinking I would stay in Uruguay for my whole career.”Valverde would stay at Penarol until he turned 18 when, having just won a league title in Uruguay, he moved to Spain to sign for Real Madrid in 2016.After a season in the club’s B Team, the all-action midfielder went on to establish himself as a key man with the LaLiga giants.He has since gone on to win several trophies, including three league titles and two Champions Leagues.Valverde has made 297 appearances for Real Madrid to date, chipping in with 29 goals and 27 assists from midfield.On Tuesday night he even captained his side while filling in as a makeshift right-back in their 3-2 win at Manchester City.Valverde, left, has gone on to win several trophies with Real MadridCredit: Getty More