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      Football rule change set to stop time-wasting goalkeepers for good with new punishment proposed

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      TIME-WASTING goalkeepers are set to be punished with a CORNER being awarded against them in a major new proposed Law change.And English professional football could trial sin-bins for dissent and cynical game-stopping fouls as soon as next season.
      The new rule will come in to prevent time wasting from goalkeepersCredit: Getty
      The Law-making International FA Board has agreed that keepers are routinely abusing the “six second” rule and that action is required.
      While a formal proposal is unlikely to be brought in for next term, the belief is that making sure there is a suitable punishment for time-wasting will ensure keepers speed up play when they have the ball in their hands.
      Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina explained: “I have seen keepers with the ball in their hand for 10, 15, 20, 25 seconds. That’s not acceptable.
      “The issue was that giving an indirect free-kick inside the box might be considered too harsh a punishment.
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      “But we think we have found a solution.
      “We may consider increasing the time given to the goalkeeper – sometimes six seconds is too little.
      “But then they have to expect this alternative punishment would be given.”
      It is thought likely that an extension to 10 seconds for a keeper to keep the ball in their hands will be written into the Laws.
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      And FA chief executive Mark Bullingham added: “We talked about whether there was a way where you concede possession but without it being a huge punishment.
      “People feel an indirect free-kick so close to the goal is too much but if you had a corner given, you’d be conceding possession, but not giving such a clear goalscoring opportunity.”
      The potential change is more likely to be introduced for the 2024-25 season although it could come earlier.
      But the Ifab did agree to global trials of sin-bins and new Laws allowing only the team captain to approach the referee in a bid to clamp down on misbehaviour.
      Protocols will be drafted over the next few months with a view to confirming trials from next season.
      That could even see sin-bins introduced in the Women’s Super League or FA Cup next term – although that has yet to be decided.
      Ifab says the plan is to root out “anti-football behaviour”, with deliberate game-stopping fouls and mouthing off at officials top of the hit-list.
      Bullingham explained: “The areas we were looking at were dissent and tactical fouls.
      “There’s a real frustration for fans when they’re watching games when they see a promising counter-attack that’s ruined by that sort of foul.
      “We asked if a yellow card is sufficient punishment for that and don’t believe it is.”
      Players judged guilty of the offences will get 10 minutes on the sidelines in addition to the yellow card – with a second offence caution still bringing dismissal.
      The Wembley boss added: “You can call it a tactical foul, cynical foul or professional foul.
      “But it’s a foul that prevents a promising attack and they do it consciously knowing they’re going to only get a yellow card.
      “We don’t think they would do it if they felkt there would be a sin-bin for that and 10 minutes out of the game.”
      Ifab also agreed new Laws to come into effect from next term which will see all deliberate defensive hand-ball offences in the penalty box bringing red cards and that will mean the ball must overhang or touch the centre of the spot at penalties.
      Goalkeepers will concede corners in the event of time-wastingCredit: Getty More

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      What if VAR was just a ploy to bring breaks into football to make money from advertising?

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      SOON after VAR was introduced, those in favour of it and those against it divided into two distinct groups.If a decision went the way of your team, you liked VAR. If a decision went against your team, you were against VAR.
      VAR could be extended to checking corners, free kicks and yellow cards under new plansCredit: Getty
      What about if they’re in it to change the game in order to squeeze more TV advertising revenue out of it?Credit: AFP
      The advantage of this was that we all had a try at being in each group.
      We’re shallow like that, us football fans. We even laughed at our own shallowness, chanting: “**** VAR, **** VAR, **** VAR” over and over again when it had disallowed our team’s goal.
      But then, perhaps only minutes later after it had disallowed the other team’s goal, we’d chant: “Love VAR, love VAR, love VAR.” It was all very funny.
      But now the laughing has stopped. VAR could be extended to checking corners, free kicks and yellow cards under plans by football law-making body IFAB.
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      You don’t even get opposing fans goading each other when decisions go against the other lot.
      Because we all know it will be our turn in a minute. It has dawned on us all that it’s ruining the game and we’re all going to be on the losing side.
      As a West Brom fan, I ought to be enjoying watching Wolves on the receiving end of one terrible decision after another.
      There were three more howlers for them on Monday night at Fulham.
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      And I just feel plain sorry for them, even angry on their behalf. Yes, a West Brom fan annoyed on behalf of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
      This is what it’s come to. Each well-meant tweak to VAR’s operation only seems to make matters worse.
      In the interest of eliminating errors, every micro- second of footage is pored over in ever more forensic detail. And what do we seem to get? Yes, yet more howlers.
      Before VAR, we only had the man in the middle to blame.
      And hard though it sometimes was, we generally found it in our hearts to forgive them their mistakes because they were, after all, human.
      By the same logic, we can’t forgive VAR because it feels like it’s not human. It’s to do with bewilderingly clever technology and was set up specifically to counteract the fallibility of humans.
      Except, of course, even this logic was flawed as it’s become abundantly clear the technology is only as infallible as the humans in charge of it.
      We’re told the development of Artificial Intelligence might result in humans being taken out of the picture completely. In terms of VAR, that could get really interesting.
      Perhaps it’s only the human involvement saving VAR from destruction at the hands of the football mob.
      Imagine if, instead of humans looking at screens at Stockley Park, there was only a super-clever AI mega-machine.
      If this super-computer then started making mistakes, I honestly think football fans could end up marching to Stockley Park and tearing the thing limb from limb, or from chip to chip, or whatever the machine equivalent is of human physiology. And AI will end there and then.
      The question is whether VAR can survive long enough for things to get that far.
      Perhaps it’s time to write the whole thing off as a noble idea that, despite everyone’s best efforts, simply couldn’t be made to work.
      Terrible mistakes
      Or perhaps they should stop it for a year in the hope that we’ll go back to despairing of terrible mistakes and demanding video technology all over again.
      To try to make sense of the current VAR chaos, I tried a mental exercise.
      I considered who it could possibly suit to have longer and longer VAR checks ruining the flow of the game.
      And I have an answer. An answer which, I must admit, amounts to nothing more than a conspiracy theory.
      I therefore ask you to disregard every word of the following paragraph.
      Here’s my conspiracy theory: While we’re all busy worrying about the influence on our game of troubling regimes in oil-rich countries, we’re forgetting to be concerned about the effect on football of the growing amount of American investment.
      Around half of the Premier League’s clubs have American money in them.
      If they’re in it for the love of the game, that’s nice.

      If they’re in it to make money out of the game, that’s not quite so nice.
      And what about if they’re in it to change the game in order to squeeze more TV advertising revenue out of it?
      I’m sure they’d be chuffed to bits if we switched to playing four quarters instead of two halves.
      And here’s the conspiracy bit — what about if these VAR checks got long enough to accommodate a commercial break?
      You can just imagine it: Will the goal stand, or will it be disallowed? Join us after the break to find out.
      Or no penalty given! But will the ref change his mind? He’s on his way to the monitor! Sit through this message from our sponsor and we’ll tell you what the referee decides.
      As I say. Disregard the previous paragraph. It couldn’t happen, obviously. More

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      Footie bosses WILL press ahead with changes to VAR for corners, free-kicks & yellow cards sparking fan fury

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      FOOTBALL chiefs are ignoring fan fury over VAR by pressing ahead with an expansion of it in the game.Members of the law-making body IFAB agreed at a meeting yesterday to work on plans for interventions on corners, free-kicks and second yellow cards.
      Footie bosses are ignoring fan fury over VAR by pressing ahead with an expansion of it in the gameCredit: Getty
      They have agreed on the moves despite a backlash from supporters on the tech and amid fears games could become two-hour marathons due to delays.
      It comes after we had revealed how football bigwigs from the four Home Nations and Fifa were planning the VAR shake-up — with the summit taking place at a Heathrow hotel yesterday.
      Last night, Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina confirmed that more VAR calls are on the table.
      Collina, 63, said: “We want to go to a second stage.
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      “It is the right time to consider if something can be changed and VAR used for other things.
      “But there is one important criteria that must be respected: we must have no extra delays.”
      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham is opposed to adding more decisions to the current VAR focus on goals, penalties and red cards.
      But he has just one vote out of the eight IFAB members — with six votes required for any ­measures to be agreed.
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      VAR controversies have plagued the Premier League this season — Chelsea’s recent win at Spurs saw a record nine VAR checks during it.
      IFAB chief executive Lukas Brud said they would look for feedback from Prem officials and the other European leagues.
      However, he added: “If we feel as a group that there’s a need to adjust or improve certain areas of VAR protocol, then we will.”
      Fans groups hit out at the plan.
      Martin Buhagiar, chair of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, said: “Rather than going further with VAR, they need to realise it’s not working.”
      And Richard Smith of the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association said: “How do they propose to check corners and yellows?
      “What would define an issue worth checking?
      “It’s none or all — so it’s surely unworkable.”
      The Sun’s front page reported on the new plans for VAR More

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      Gary O’Neil reveals referee admitted crucial error that cost Wolves in Fulham clash

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      GARY O’NEIL claims that the referee Michael Salisbury admitted that he got a crucial decision wrong during Wolves’ defeat at Fulham.And the frustrated boss has called for change in how VAR is used after his team were on the wrong end of another controversial decision.
      Fulham were awarded a penalty for this challenge from Nelson Semedo on Tom CairneyCredit: Alamy
      Gary O’Neill claimed afterwards that ref admitted he had made a mistakeCredit: Twitter @SkySportsPL
      “Tonight has finally turned me against VAR.” Gary O’Neil reveals what he discussed with the match officials after full-time at Craven Cottage 🔊 pic.twitter.com/dknwqBFyEB— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 27, 2023

      Wolves dramatically lost 3-2 at Craven Cottage after three penalties were awarded during the game, two of which went to their opponents.
      But the key one came deep into additional time when Fulham’s Harry Wilson was fouled in the box by Joao Gomes.
      It was not initially given, but VAR eventually stepped in and then Salisbury, after viewing the pitchside screen, pointed to the spot.
      Although the ref insisted that decision was correct, O’Neil claimed afterwards that the official admitted to him that a mistake was made for the first Fulham penalty when Nelson Semedo was adjudged to have fouled Tom Cairney.
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      That left the Wolves manager fuming – but it was not the only decision that annoyed him.
      After speaking with Salisbury after the match, O’Neil then told Sky Sports: “We discussed a lot of decisions.
      “Vinicius should have been sent off for headbutting Max [Kilman]. Clear, he headbutts him on the nose. Isn’t sent off, is given a yellow.
      “Tim Ream should have been sent off for a second bookable offence on the penalty. They’re both my opinions on those, obviously everyone can have their own.
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      “The penalties that went against us, Nelson plays the ball, doesn’t touch Tom Cairney. I watched that back with the referee and, to be fair to him, he says he thinks they’ve got that wrong and he should have been sent to the monitor.
      “Doesn’t help me, doesn’t help all the fans that have travelled all this way to watch the team, doesn’t help the players who are feeling frustrated again.
      “So the Nelson one has pretty much been admitted by the referee that they made a mistake.
      “The one on Harry Wilson we disagree on a little bit. He thinks there’s enough contact there to give a penalty. I think it’s really soft.
      “So you could argue two of them could go against us, but for all four of them to go against us is a tough one for the lads, the supporters and myself to take because we’ve been here a lot of times this season. It’s tough because we didn’t deserve that.”
      O’Neil received an apology in August from the PGMOL after not getting a penalty in their 1-0 defeat at Manchester United
      There have also been several other debatable calls that have gone against his team this term.
      Now O’Neil says he has had enough and believes the string of bad decisions are having a huge impact on everyone at the club.
      He said: “Bad luck that it keeps going against us, but there are bad refereeing decisions in there.
      “I’ve had a real grown-up conversation with him in there, I’m trying to remain calm and I’m not angry with anybody, I’m not in there abusing people.
      Gary O’Neil says the bad calls are affecting everyone at the clubCredit: Alamy
      “It’s a conversation around, “come on guys it’s six or seven points now that have gone against us. I’m managing a big football club here. 
      “The difference that you’re making to my reputation, the club’s progression up the league, to people’s livelihoods is huge.
      “It can’t be with all the technology, all the time, the biggest league in the world that we’re getting so many wrong. It can’t be okay.
      “What can I do? I have two options really now. I keep behaving the way that I should and I make my players behave in the way that we should, we respect everybody and the decision making. Or we go, that’s not working, we’re going to have to make some noise.
      “I’d rather be a decent human being, answer things honestly and have honest chats with people but things need to get better because I can’t accept us being on the wrong end of decisions as often as we are.”
      O’Neil added that he had been a fan of VAR, however he has now changed his mind and thinks it could be time to step back from using it.
      He said: “I’ve always been for VAR but I think it’s causing a big problem at the moment.
      “The fact that the first one’s not deemed a clear and obvious error but the second one is, I just think VAR has cost us there.
      “If it was just a normal referee maybe we concede one penalty from a mistake, the fact that we’ve conceded two…for me, VAR is not helping much with subjective decisions.
      “Maybe tonight has finally turned me against VAR when I thought it would help but it doesn’t seem to be.” More

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      Twelve recently-retired stars sign up for fast-track scheme to become referees after Premier League controversies

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      HOWARD WEBB is hoping to recruit a dozen ex-pros to a fast-track refereeing programme.PGMOL boss Webb took 12 years to reach the Prem after starting his whistling career while serving with South Yorkshire Police.
      Howard Webb is hoping to recruit 12 ex-pros to become refsCredit: PA
      Referees are under the microscope after a string of controversial decisions this seasonCredit: Rex
      But the former World Cup Final ref hopes his new cohort of current and recently-retired players can help increase confidence in officials.
      One regular complaint by players, managers and fans alike is that some referees “don’t know the game” and are officiating by the book rather than with a feel for a match situation.
      And while Webb does not accept that is a fair criticism – with refs having to apply the Laws of the Game – the idea of getting ex-players into the middle would aid perceptions.
      It is understood that around 12 players have expressed their interest in the idea so far after Webb opened the door over recent months.
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      A process which would allow them to short-cut the normal progression path is now being worked on by Webb and PGMOL.
      The refs’ chief is also investigating new technology which could see “flag to flag” touchline cameras being added to the VAR armoury.
      Rasmus Hojlund is still waiting for his first Prem goal for Manchester United after a strike against brighton was chalked off after the ball was adjudged to have gone out of play.
      Last month, though, Newcastle’s winner against Arsenal was allowed to stand when the VAR cameras were unable to find conclusive evidence the ball was out before Joe Willock centred.
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      Webb’s job before returning to England was with the MLS in the United States, where a trial of touchline cameras – to see if they can be deployed – is already ongoing.
      It is likely that even with sensors the system would only work for balls on the ground, as there is no overhead place for “triangulation” technology to be installed.
      Webb is interested in the outcome of the trial and earlier this month he told the latest edition of Match Officials: Mic’d Up: “We’re open minded to all technologies that make us more accurate and more efficient.
      “We’re doing some testing behind the scenes and we’ll see how that goes.
      “We’re also keeping a close eye on other competitions and we’ll take a decision in terms of the best way to go forward with that.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo hailed for ‘unreal sportsmanship’ as he amazingly tells referee he WASN’T fouled after winning penalty

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO was praised for his “unreal sportsmanship” after he remarkably told the referee he was NOT fouled when winning a penalty.The Al-Nassr forward, 38, went down in the second minute of his side’s AFC Champions League clash with Iranian side Persepolis.
      Cristiano Ronaldo went down under a challenge from a Persepolis defenderCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo wagged his finger following the penalty being awardedCredit: AFP
      He remarkably walked over towards the referee to try and overturn the decisionCredit: AFP
      Ronaldo told the official it was not a spot-kickCredit: SSC 1
      He could be seen saying ‘no pen’ to the refereeCredit: SSC 1
      The referee wasted little time in pointing to the spot… but the scenes that followed shocked fans.
      Manchester United legend Ronaldo immediately wagged his finger, indicating he did not believe it was a spot kick.
      He then proceeded to walk over to the official and could be seen saying “no pen”.
      A VAR check followed and the penalty decision was overturned.
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      But Ronaldo’s actions were not forgotten by viewers as they hailed his behaviour.
      One said: “This is why he’s my goat 🐐.”
      Another added: “Unreal sportsmanship 👏.”
      A third replied: “Respect!!! This guy is winning me over on a daily basis.”
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      While a fourth responded: “What a man! This is the kind of mentality that separates him. Ronaldo is the best both in attitude and character.
      “Rarely do you see Ronaldo fighting with the young stars demanding unnecessary respect and honour. Respect is earned. Thank you for demonstrating honesty and morality. You are the authentic GOAT😊.”
      And a fifth said: “Wow!! Just wow. A true athlete.”
      But Ronaldo may have regretted his sporting gesture later in the game as Al-Nassr failed to break down the visitors as they played out a goalless draw.
      Real Madrid icon Ronaldo has scored 18 goals and provided nine assists in 18 matches so far this season.
      But they are still four points adrift of Al-Hilal at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
      Robbie Fowler once protested against a penalty award in his favour for Liverpool at Arsenal in 1997 – however the referee’s decision stood. More

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      Major change to VAR planned that could turn Premier League matches into two hour marathons

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      VAR powers could be extended to free-kicks, corners and second yellow cards as new proposals are set to be discussed on Tuesday.Football’s lawmakers on the International FA Board will meet at a Heathrow hotel to confirm changes for next season.
      VAR could be handed more powers under new rules being discussed on TuesdayCredit: AFP
      And despite fan outrage over the interminable delays that have left supporters shaking their heads in fury and disbelief, the idea of adding to the amount of decisions video refs can change is a serious threat.
      Currently VAR can only be used for “match-changing incidents” – goals, penalties and red cards.
      Controversy has followed a spate of decisions in the Premier League alone this season.
      The biggest was the shocking error where miscommunication between the officials at the League’s Stockley Park hub and at the stadium saw Luis Diaz’ onside goal for Liverpool against Spurs ruled out.
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      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces a potential ban for his furious response to Newcastle’s debatable winner at St James’ Park last month.
      Chelsea’s win at Spurs on November 1 brought NINE VAR checks, five disallowed goals, two red cards and 21 minutes of added time across the two halves.
      And England’s Euro 2024 qualifying draw in North Macedonia included a ludicrous penalty decision against Three Lions debut-maker Rico Lewis.
      But things are set to get even more manic if the idea of allowing VAR officials to intervene on more decisions gets support.
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      .
      Red cards for deliberate handballsRED cards for “deliberate” penalty box handballs are set to be introduced next season – in a major clampdown by football’s Law-makers.
      Under current Laws, players are only sent off for “denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity” for box handball offences.
      That is almost always for an offence blocking a goalbound shot on the line.
      Tuesday’s meeting will bring “deliberate” handball offences into line with goal-stopping fouls where there is no intent to play the ball.
      It is understood that the new approach will mean players who are deemed to have deliberately raised their hands above the shoulder to block a cross or shot risk being sent off as well as conceding the spot kick.
      The view is that the change will bring handball offences into line with deliberate fouls in the box – where there is no attempt to play the ball – which should be punished with red cards.

      Under the proposal to be discussed on Tuesday, video refs could recommend changes of decisions on free-kicks, corners and second yellow cards.
      That would arguably undermine the authority of referees and officials even further – and lead to even more stoppages for checks.
      But despite those fears, the idea is gaining strength from some members of the Ifab ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.
      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, who has one of the eight votes that determine the laws of the game, has vowed to thwart the concept.
      Bullingham said: “I know that is something we will discuss in the Ifab.
      “We would be really reluctant to have a game that was stopped a lot more than it currently is but that will be a proper discussion.”
      Each of the four Home Nations has one vote on Ifab, with Fifa supplying the other four. No Law change can be brought in without six votes in favour.
      Tuesday’s meeting is set to bring in tougher handball laws for next season – with red cards for “deliberate” offences inside the penalty box.
      It will also order penalty kicks to be taken with the ball touching the centre of the spot.
      And there is growing support for two extra trials over player indiscipline that could be rolled out into the Prem over the coming seasons.
      The first would see only captains allowed to talk to referees on the pitch, rather than the current free for all which sees angry players confronting officials.
      And the other could be the first step to rugby-style “sin-bins” for offences that currently bring what many consider “harsh” red cards.
      But there is little or no appetite outside of English football for VAR conversations between the video booth and the referee to be played out “live” either on TV or in the stadium.
      One of the biggest gripes against VAR is fans being “left hanging” for three minutes-plus as the video technology is underway, with the stadium giant screens only explaining the check in the briefest of terms.
      Prem refs’ chief Howard Webb is keen to bring it in as soon as possible and he is backed by Bullingham – but both are walking against a strong headwind.
      Wembley boss Bullingham explained: “We’ve talked about it in multiple Ifabs.
      “Generally there is a split in the room over that, and quite often it’s between the marketing-and-commercial people and the referees.
      “Our point of view would normally be that transparency is a really good thing, and we want to have fans to have the maximum experience.
      “The fans in the stadium should never know less than the fans watching on TV
      “But there is an understandable nervousness from others that the referee’s job is hard enough as it is.”
      TOP FIVE CLANGERS
      ARSENAL 1 BRENTFORD 1, FEBRUARY 11
      GUNNERS fans were enraged Ivan Toney’s equaliser stood as Christian Norgaard was ­offside as he set it up.
      A referees report later admitted that VAR Lee Mason “forgot” to apply the lines while reviewing the goal.
      Gunners fans were enraged Ivan Toney’s equaliser stood as Christian Norgaard was ­offside as he set it upCredit: BBC
      LIVERPOOL 2 SPURS 1, SEPTEMBER 30
      OFFICIALS ruled out Liverpool striker Luis Diaz’s perfectly good goal against Tottenham for offside.
      The howler led referees’ body the PGMOL to issue an apology and release the audio of the Stockley Park decision.
      Officials ruled out Liverpool striker Luis Diaz’s perfectly good goal against Tottenham for offside
      FOREST 1 BRENTFORD 1, OCTOBER 1
      BEES fans were stunned after being denied a penalty when Forest keeper Matt Turner took out Yoane Wissa.
      After the match, Turner even admitted that he was happy blundering VAR officials failed to step in.
      Bees fans were stunned after being denied a penalty when Forest keeper Matt Turner took out Yoane WissaCredit: Getty
      NEWCASTLE 1 ARSENAL 0, NOVEMBER 4
      DESPITE four potential infractions, the Magpies were awarded a second-half winner following a lengthy VAR check.
      After the match, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta branded VAR’s failure to rule it out an “absolute disgrace”.
      The Magpies were awarded a second-half winner following a lengthy VAR checkCredit: Sky Sports
      SPURS 1 CHELSEA 4, NOVEMBER 6
      A CHAOTIC match in North London saw five ruled-out goals and two red cards.
      The game had the most VAR checks in a Premier League match, with nine.
      Referee Michael Oliver checks the VAR monitor before awarding Chelsea a penalty and sending off Spurs’ Cristian RomeroCredit: Rex
      That led to 21 minutes of stoppage time. More

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      Fans left stunned after Lewandowski slammed to floor by ex-Newcastle star.. but referee and VAR fails to award penalty

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      FOOTBALL fans were left astonished after Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski was thrown to the floor by a Rayo Vallecano defender… but did NOT get a penalty.The LaLiga champions were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday as they slipped to fourth place in the table.
      Robert Lewandowski, right, did not get a penalty for the clear foul by Florian Lejeune, leftCredit: Rex

      Lejeune grabbed hold of Lewandowski in the box
      The defender then hauled the Barcelona striker to the ground
      Lewandowski did not earn a penalty for the incident
      But Xavi’s men will feel aggrieved they were not awarded a spot kick for a bizarre incident involving Lewandowski, 35.
      With the ball nowhere near the Polish forward, Vallecano defender Florian Lejeune, 32, decided to aggressively slam Lewandowski to the floor.
      Yet despite the former Newcastle man’s moment of madness, he was not penalised for the offence.
      Both the referee and VAR did not award a penalty as Vallecano went unpunished.
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      Reacting to the incident, one person said: “These people are in wrestling in the UFC, where is the f**king VAR?
      Another added: “He HURLED him to the ground.”
      While a third replied: “Lejeune to Lewandowski is really nothing? It’s just incredible.”
      However, there was some form of justice later in the game as Lejeune – who played 46 games for Newcastle between 2017 and 2021 – turned a Barcelona cross into his own net.
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      Lejeune later scored an own goal to hand Barcelona a pointCredit: Rex

      The goal came eight minutes from the end as Vallecano’s defence was finally breached by one of their own players.
      After the game, Xavi took aim at the officials for a separate incident, claiming Raphinha had been been brought down in the box in the second half.
      He said: “Then I’m told I’m looking for excuses, but the foul on Raphinha is a clear penalty.
      “It happened to us in Getafe, in Granada and today.
      “We lost because we weren’t good in the first half, and that’s no excuse, but it’s a clear penalty.”
      Lejeune spent four years at Newcastle before he left in 2021Credit: Getty More