VAR

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Mason Holgate shown straight red card for ‘scandalous’ tackle dubbed ‘worst I’ve seen in years’ by Jamie Redknapp

      by

      SHEFFIELD UNITED star Mason Holgate was sent off for a horror tackle on Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.The defender was initially shown a yellow card by referee Stuart Atwell before he consulted the VAR monitor and upgraded the punishment.

      Mason Holgate saw red for a reckless lunge on Kaoru MitomaCredit: Reuters
      Holgate was initially shown a yellow card before Stuart Atwell consulted the VAR monitorCredit: Reuters
      Holgate could have no complaints over his dismissalCredit: Getty
      Mitoma was taken out by Holgate after his heavy touch gave the defender a chance to win the ball.
      But the Everton loanee lost control as he dived in on the winger, taking him out at knee height in the 12th minute.
      He appeared to win the ball with his other foot but Atwell was left with no choice but to brandish a red due to the strength of the challenge.
      Brighton players immediately began protesting as Mitoma writhed around in pain, and most inside Bramall Lane protested the booking.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      So there was uproar when Atwell upped the punishment to a red a few moments later.
      Sky Sports pundit called the tackle “scandalous”.
      The former Liverpool and Tottenham ace also felt it was “one of the worst tackles I’ve seen in years.”
      Things went from bad to worse for the Sheffield United faithful as Brighton opened the scoring from a corner they believe should have been given as a goal kick.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Lewis Dunk headed back across goal from Pascal Gross’s corner and Facundo Buonanotte turned the ball home from close range, though it only just crossed the line and needed to ref to confirm on his watch that it was a goal.
      Moments later Danny Welbeck doubled the visitors’ lead after he reacted quickest to smash in a rebound after Wes Foderingham denied Mitoma at the back post.
      EXCL: My uncle played in the World Cup final, now I’m making my own way starring for Premier League club
      The Seagulls threatened to add a third soon after with Welbeck and Gross going close with chances from inside the box.
      Sheffield United have now had four red cards in the league this season and their defence continues to leak goals. More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans baffled as Robertson smashes into Toney who’s denied penalty as they joke ‘Klopp farewell tour in full swing’

      by

      BAFFLED football fans joked the “Jurgen Klopp farewell tour is in full swing” after Brentford were denied a blatant penalty. The ball bounced towards Ivan Toney in the Liverpool 18-yard box.
      Jurgen Klopp is leaving Anfield at the end of the seasonCredit: AP
      Ivan Toney was bundled to the ground by Andy RobertsonCredit: TNT Sports
      But as the England striker controlled it on his chest, he was clattered into by Andy Robertson.
      The left-back bundled into the back of Toney, sending him crashing to the ground.
      But as the former Hull man kept his footing and booted clear, referee Michael Oliver ignored the Bees’ protests.
      And VAR David Coote failed to intervene, either, despite the obvious bundle over from Robertson.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      So it was no surprise fans watching the action at home could not believe the officials refused to award a spot-kick – and joked Klopp is getting preferential treatment ahead of his upcoming exit.
      One said: “The Klopp Farewell Tour in full swing……”
      Another wrote: “Not quite sure how Brentford didn’t get a penalty here…”
      A third added: “Robertson bulldozing into Toney. How is that not a penalty? I just need an explanation. Anyone??”
      Most read in Football

      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      A fourth commented: “Robertson barges into Toney, gets none of the ball but no penalty. It’s actually laughable at this point.”
      A fifth fumed: “How is that not a penalty on Toney what a joke.”
      Jamie Carragher reveals absolutely savage X-rated text Gary Neville sent over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool exit
      And a final user replied: “How is that not a penalty? Robertson barged through the back of Toney it’s a stonewall nailed-on penalty every day ending in y, also what’s the VAR doing?”
      The controversial incident happened in the 72nd minute with Liverpool leading 3-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
      But moments later, Toney struck to pull one back – which could have made for an interesting finale.
      Cody Gakpo did seal the 4-1 win with a late fourth for the travelling Reds after Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah’s goals.
      While it was still 0-0, though, Wataru Endo somehow escaped punishment despite a Diego Maradona-style fake header that saw him punch the ball, but it was missed by Oliver.
      However, the victory for table-toppers Liverpool came at a cost with both Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota going off injured and spotted leaving on crutches.

      Endo escaped with this blatant handball at BrentfordCredit: TNT Sports More

    • 200 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Most ridiculous thing ever’ – Bizarre Europa League goal given after epic ‘draught excluder’ free-kick fail

      by

      QARABAG scored one of the most bizarre goals in Europa League history – thanks to a Braga star’s free-kick fail. The teams faced off in Portugal on Thursday night in the first leg of their knockout play-off.
      Victor Gomez took on the ‘draught excluder’ role for Braga in the Europa LeagueCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontnt
      He accidentally played all the Qarabag attackers onsideCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontnt
      Abdellah Zoubir pounced to turn the ball inCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontnt

      But the scores level at 1-1, Qarabag went back in front in baffling circumstances.
      Yassine Benzia’s initial free-kick 20 yards out hit the wall before falling to Abdellah Zoubir who rounded the goalkeeper and bundled into the back of the net.
      The goal, though, was initially ruled out for offside by the assistant referee.
      But when VAR checked the replays, they found that Zoubir was played on by the ‘draught excluder’ lying behind the wall.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The role – deployed by Braga defender Victor Gomez – is designed to allow the wall to jump and not risk a sneaky free-kick taker sliding the ball underneath them.
      However, it backfired for Braga when Gomez’s head was the closest Braga defender to his own goal line and therefore marked the offside line.
      Zoubir, though, was in an onside position when the initial free-kick was taken.
      Then with the wall landing from their jump and Gomez lying on the floor, he made the most of the freedom in the Braga penalty area to score.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      The referee was instructed to award the goal, prompting wild celebrations for the Azerbaijani team and their dedicated fans who made the 9,600km round trip to Portugal.
      And those watching the Europa League action at home were left in disbelief.
      Watch astonishing moment Corinthians goalkeeper purposely doesn’t save free kick – but it’s for genius reason
      One said: “The draught excluder playing Qarabag all onside. Classic.”
      Another wrote: “It’s probably play of the year.”
      A third added: “Hopefully teams will stop doing it now cos it is one of the most ridiculous things that has ever come into the game.”
      And a shocked fourth simply commented: “No!”
      Zoubir added his second and Qarabag’s fourth of the night on 69 minutes before Joao Moutinho grabbed an injury-time penalty to keep Braga in the tie, trailing 4-2 going into the second leg next week.
      The initial free-kick hit the wallCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontnt
      The referee initially put his arm up to signal offsideCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontnt
      He overturned his decision after VAR had a lookCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontnt
      The goal prompted wild celebrationsCredit: X formerly Twitter / @footballontnt More

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Fuming Aston Villa fans claim Hojlund’s goal should NOT have stood as they spot issue in build up to Man Utd opener

      by

      ASTON VILLA fans were left fuming over Rasmus Hojlund’s goal with many claiming it should have been disallowed.The striker netted for the fifth consecutive match to help United win 2-1, with Scott McTominay notching the winner.
      Casemiro was in an offside position when the free-kick was played inCredit: Sky Sports
      VAR was unable to check if Casemiro had interfered with playCredit: Getty
      But some Villa fans have suggested Hojlund’s goal should not have stood – because Casemiro was offside in the build-up.
      The United midfielder was stood in an offside position when Luke Shaw crossed his free-kick into the box.
      Casemiro jumped and competed for the ball but did not touch it – in fact he was no way near it.
      A Villa defender headed the ball behind for a corner which ended up with Hojlund firing in from Harry Maguire’s knock down.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      But since the goal came from a new phase of play, VAR was unable to look at the free-kick and whether Casemiro had interfered with the Villa defender.
      That enraged some Villa supporters as they claimed they were hard done by.
      One fan reacted saying: “Casemiro is offside for the play leading to the corner. United score from the corner.
      “No VAR check. What’s the point of having it?”
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

      Another added: “To really put the icing on the cake, Casemiro was offside from the free-kick which led to the corner 🤦🏻‍♂️ I hate football on days like today.
      “Really didn’t do a fat lot wrong and end up on the defeated side. And it’s always against them too. Irritating
      Ten Hag reacts to Man Utd’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa
      A third wrote: “There we go Casemiro offside from freekick – lino and ref miss that and give a corner. They score from it, useless.🙄”
      And another commented: “That United goal was crazy. Softest free-kick of the season which then led to Casemiro being offside when they forced a corner in which they scored.
      “Referees so scared to make the right decisions, getting too complacent with VAR.” More

    • 250 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Managers tell Premier League chiefs they have ‘absolutely no idea’ what the handball Law is as they’re asked for help

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE managers have told league chiefs they have “absolutely no idea” what the handball Law is supposed to be.And now top flight leaders are asking managers and players to help them determine where referees should draw a line on handball and other incidents.
      Premier League managers have ‘absolutely no idea’ what the handball rule isCredit: Rex
      Now refs and league chiefs are asking players and bosses for helpCredit: Getty
      League leaders also concede that VAR delays are making the match-going experience “poor” for supporters.
      Despite that, they insist that Prem referees are “as good if not better than they have ever been”.
      And while there was a vow to speed up decision making, the league cannot promise that Uefa-style limb-tracking technology will be introduced next season.
      The concerns of top flight managers emerged at a meeting with the Prem earlier this season – following a number of contentious calls
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Tony Scholes, the former Stoke executive who is now the Prem’s Chief Football Officer, said: “One manager made the comment, which was supported by a number of the others, that he had ‘absolutely no idea’ where the handball law was.
      “Then they commented on where they thought it should be..
      “We believe we have to serve the game and how football feels the Laws should be interpreted.
      “So we are now talking to captains, managers, club executives and consulting the PFA, LMA and Football Supporters Association to try to find agreement going forward.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Howard Webb and his team at PGMOL have come under fire over a series of calls this term, with Arsenal, Wolves and Nottingham Forest among clubs who have written official letters of complaint.
      Scholes suggested that was a “disappointing” stance and said the rulings by the league’s Key Match Incident panel, made up of former players, managers and referees, indicated officials were “as good or even better than they have ever been”.
      Rules of football under review after unknown Swedish club find loophole in offside law
      Prem figures said that of the 57 decisions changed by VAR so far this term, only THREE – Luiz Diaz’ wrongly disallowed goal for Liverpool at Spurs, a “handball” goal by Burnley’s Sander Berge that was ruled out at Nottingham Forest and the Kai Havertz penalty that was overturned in Arsenal’s win over Manchester United were mistakes.
      In addition, there were a further 17 incidents where VAR officials should have intervened, but Scholes pointed out: “Last year there had been 25 such errors by this point in the season and now we are getting 96 per cent of decisions right.”
      The time it is taking to come to some decisions is making the experience for the fan in the stadium a poor one, nowhere near good enoughPrem’s chief football officer
      Scholes, though, did accept that some VAR calls were taking too long, with officials wary of making mistakes and over-compensating.
      He said: “If the object was to improve the accuracy of decision-making VAR has been a significant success.
      “Any mistake can have an incredible effect on a club or individual and we know we can always improve. It is not perfect.
      “The time it is taking to come to some decisions is making the experience for the fan in the stadium a poor one, nowhere near good enough and we have to address that.”
      Scholes though, was unable to confirm that limb-tracking technology, already used by Fifa and Uefa, would be deployed in the Prem next season.
      He dismissed the idea that “issues” that have emerged are because of the Prem’s contract with Nike with the two governing bodies use adidas balls.

      However, Scholes said: “Semi-automated offsides will speed up the time to make decisions but I can’t say it will definitely come in next season.
      “We want to be certain it will improve the situation but in testing there have been issues on what we call the ‘edge’ cases, where many things are occurring at once.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “You might have a lot of bodies in one place and it is the ability of the system to identify different parts of the body.
      “For the vast majority of cases there won’t be an issue but in our competition we want to be clear before we introduce anything that we are not introducing something that will give us unintended or unanticipated problems in other areas.”
      So… what is the handball rule then?Apparently it’s a handball in the Premier League if:
      The hand/arm is clearly away from the body and outside the “body line”.The player clearly leans into the path of the ball.The ball travels some distance.The ball touches a hand/arm that is clearly raised above the shoulder.The player falls and the hand/arm is extended laterally or vertically away from the body.A deflection clearly makes no difference to the ball touching a hand/arm that is clearly extended away from the body and/or above the shoulder.Immediately after touching the ball with the arm, even accidentally, the player scores a goal or creates a goal-scoring opportunity
      (According to BBC Football) More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans left stunned by Afcon turnaround as Osimhen scores to seal win… only for VAR to give PENALTY at the other end

      by

      NIGERIA’S semi-final clash against South Africa was turned on its head by VAR in the dying minutes of the match.Victor Osimhen thought he had doubled Nigeria’s 1-0 lead in the last five minutes – but play was brought back.
      SOUTH AFRICA EQUALISE IN THE 90TH MINUTE! 😱Nigeria have a goal disallowed after a VAR check and South Africa are awarded a penalty! pic.twitter.com/IGbjBhNK0s— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 7, 2024

      Teboho Mokoena converted a last-minute penalty to equalise for South AfricaCredit: AP
      South Africa stars celebrate the last-gasp turnaroundCredit: AFP
      Victor Osimhen thought he had sealed the win by doubling Nigeria’s leadCredit: AFP
      VAR reviewed the passage of play and after a lengthy delay decided there had been a foul on a South African player in Nigeria’s box before the Super Eagles broke free.
      Referee Amin Omar eventually blew for a penalty which was converted by Teboho Mokoena in stoppage time.
      That levelled the score and South Africa even had a chance to win it late on but Khuliso Mudau blazed over from a rebound which was easier to score.
      The match went to extra-time but Nigeria were not to be denied a place in the final, as they won the shoot-out 4-2.

      They will now face hosts Ivory Coast in Sunday night’s final after they beat DR Congo 1-0, thanks to Sebastien Haller’s second half goal.
      Osimhen had poked home from close range from a low cross for Nigeria to spark furious protests from South Africa.
      VAR then reviewed an incident involving South Africa star Percy Tau, who just pipped opponent Alhassan Yusuf to the ball before being tripped just inside the box.
      The ref was left with no option but to chalk off Osimhen’s goal before pointing to the spot in a dramatic sequence of events.
      Most read in Football
      South Africa were surprise participants in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final having not reached the last four of the competition since 2000.
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      They had goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to thank for progressing from the quarter-final as he saved an astonishing four penalties in the shoot-out win over Cape Verde.
      Fans were amazed by the latest thriller, with one saying: “Afcon moving like Eastenders.”
      William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring for Nigeria from the penalty spotCredit: AFP
      Fans left devastated as ‘breathtaking’ Afcon Goal of the Tournament contender disallowed and say ‘if only…’ More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Football chiefs considering shock FIVE new rules at crunch meeting including sin-bins and refs stopping matches mid-game

      by

      REFS could stop matches for a number of minutes to “calm down” feuding players under a plan to be discussed by football’s Law makers next month.A discussion on trialling official “cooling off periods” after flare-ups is on the formal agenda for the annual general meeting of the International FA Board to be held at Loch Lomond on March 2.
      Players could be sin-binned next seasonCredit: Rex
      Goalkeepers could be hit with a new punishment for time wastingCredit: Getty
      The handball law could also changeCredit: Rex
      The idea is the latest development as The Ifab seeks to improve player behaviour across the world game.
      It comes with members, including FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, expected to give the green light for formal trials of sin-bins for cynical game-stopping fouls from as soon as next season.
      And Law makers are also likely to confirm another trial of punishing time-wasting by goalkeepers by awarding corner kicks.
      The only Law changes on the agenda, which will be part of the game from next season, will see all deliberate defensive hand-ball offences in the penalty box bringing red cards while the ball must overhang or touch the centre of the spot at penalties.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But three trials aimed directly at improving behaviour are all on the table, with the prospect of official “cooling off” breaks called by referees if players are out of control a new idea.
      While it is unclear what protocols would be adopted, it is thought all players would be forcibly separated by the match officials.
      Refs would have the discretion to call time on play for as long as required to get tempers back in check.
      The other two trials were endorsed by Ifab – which is composed of the four Home Nations and four votes for Fifa – in November.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      One will see competitions trialling a system where only a team’s captain can approach the referee during a game.
      The other will see 10 minute sin-bins in operation at senior level for the first time as Ifab seeks to reduce “anti-football behaviour” such as break-stopping, cynical fouls and mouthing off at officials.
      Shocking moment referee is CHASED OFF pitch by pitch invader in Port Vale vs Portsmouth clash
      Bullingham explained in November: “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.”
      SunSport revealed in November that extending the scope of VAR to include second yellow cards and even free-kicks and corners was something Ifab would look into.
      This comes after Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina said it was time to investigate the “second stage” of the technology as long as it did not lead to further delays.
      FIVE POSSIBLE NEW RULES

      Sin-bins for cynical game-stopping fouls.
      Time-wasting goalkeepers to have a corner given against them.
      Defenders to get a straight red card for deliberate handballs.
      Only the team captain can confront the referee.
      Matches stopped after flare-ups for “cooling off periods”. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      New audio footage appears to show VAR get rules completely wrong with last minute penalty decision in huge clash

      by

      NEW audio footage appears to show VAR officials get the rules completely wrong leading to a decision that almost certainly cost Barcelona.The Spanish giants were in action against Getafe back in August and hunting for a late winner when they thought they were awarded a penalty.
      This one is 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐥 👀In the 103rd minute, Barcelona think they’ve got a penalty after the referee heads to the screen on the advice of VAR but they’re wrong…#GetafeBarca pic.twitter.com/W1ZUBP5Dly— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 13, 2023

      VAR audio appears to have called into question a huge decision between Barcelona and Getafe in August
      Following an alleged foul on Ronald Araujo, referee Soto Grado went over to the pitchside monitor to review the footage.
      After the review, Grado deemed there to have been a handball offence by Barcelona player Gavi, so controversially ruled a free-kick to Getafe rather than awarding a penalty.
      The teams drew the game 0-0 thanks to the decision which came right at the end of the match.
      However, the audio files of that game have now been published, causing fresh controversy.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      According to Mundo Deportivo, a voice can be heard at the start of the recording saying: “Caution Gavi”.
      But the report states that the voice is NOT of the referee or VAR referee, Iglesias Villanueva.
      It is not clear whether the voice was from one of the on-field or fourth officials or from the VAR assistant.
      If it is determined that the voice came from an official on the field of play, there would be no issue.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      On the other hand, if the voice is deemed to have come from VAR then it would represent them overstepping what they are allowed to do.
      Football rule makers Ifab state a VAR review can only be initiated by the on-field referee and can only intervene at certain times.
      Mourinho’s BIGGEST Barcelona bust-ups over the years
      These are:

      1. Goal/no goal
      2. Penalty/no penalty
      3. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution)
      4. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team)

      Barcelona are said to have communicated “great discomfort” towards the news.
      The Catalan club are enduring a nightmare season, currently sit third in the LaLiga table, eight points behind Real Madrid in first.
      So bad have things become that manager Xavi announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. More