More stories

  • in

    Crucial moment VAR ‘guessed’ during Premiership match – as another side blast system as ‘unsuitable for purpose’

    ABERDEEN have branded Scottish football’s version of VAR as “unsuitable for purpose”.Dons chiefs claim the SFA admitted officials “effectively guessed” that Angus MacDonald was offside when Bojan Miovski’s goal was ruled out in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Livingston.Ref Graham Grainger eventually ruled out the goalAberdeen’s goal was ruled offsideIt has emerged that the Hawkeye system failed at the Tony Macaroni – meaning calibrated lines were unavailable.VAR officials Matthew MacDermid and Jonathan Bell used a still image to make the call instead – which the SFA now admit was inconclusive.But SunSport understands the SFA were able to review the incident after the game and TWO Aberdeen players were offside.Ref Graham Grainger had awarded the Miovski goal and Aberdeen claim it was incorrectly ruled out – as they joined Motherwell in demanding VAR change.The statement said: “What this situation demonstrates, in our opinion, is that the version of VAR that Scottish football has, or more accurately, can afford, is not suitable for the purpose in which it is intended.“It perfectly highlights the limitations in the technology, the inappropriate implementation, the consistency of decision-making, and the negative impact on the overall experience for the match-going supporter.“This is, of course, not an issue that we believe is in any way exclusive to Aberdeen.“We are not being partisan because we believe a decision, or at least a process, has not been at all effective at the weekend.Most read in Football“We acknowledge there have been occasions where we ourselves have been fortunate to have benefitted from some of the observations and limitations raised.“The Scottish FA, with the help of the SPFL (via the Competitions Working Group), have an on-going review of the use of Video Assistant Referees within Scottish football.Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher namecheck Aberdeen in greatest ever debate“Aberdeen FC is committed to playing an active role in those discussions and will work with all stakeholders to try and improve the output because, at the moment, we do not believe VARs presence is enhancing the game in this country.”The SFA gave Aberdeen audio and transcripts of the officials’ conversations when Miovski’s goal was disallowed.And the Dons also provided fans with a detailed account of what happened.The statement said: “The Hawkeye system failed in the lead up to the goal. so the VARs were unable to rely on any reliable calibrated lines to determine, with the normal degree of certainty, whether Angus MacDonald was offside or otherwise.“The Scottish FA have confirmed to us that they have already launched an investigation into why this failure happened and put their officials into a difficult position.“The VARs then used a freeze frame to determine whether they thought Angus MacDonald was in an offside position when the free kick was taken by Leighton Clarkson.“The ability for the VARs to do this is contained within the VAR protocols.“The Scottish FA accepted there is no conceivable way the VAR could tell definitively the deepest position of Livingston midfielder Daniel MacKay’s body, because from the only angle available – the 18-yard box camera on the main stand side – the lower half of MacKay’s body is completely obscured from view, blocked by other players.“Even if his full body was visible, it’s impossible to determine who was closest to the goal line with no on-pitch ‘markers’.“Therefore, it was acknowledged by all in attendance at the meeting that the VARs had to effectively guess on what that position might have been based on the limited information available to them.“That was the basis on which to overrule the on-field call of the assistant referee, who did not raise his flag.“It is our strong belief that in such an instance, and for the integrity of the game, the match officials should stick with their original on-field decision without the strength of evidence to overturn that and essentially re-referee the passage of play.“This course of action was chosen ahead of asking the referee, himself, to look at the freeze frame and make a determination, which is permitted under the protocols when it’s a matter of opinion rather than factual.Here’s the recalibrated image“Or more appropriately, in absence of a definitive outcome from the camera, sticking with the on-field decision, and giving the benefit of the doubt.”The SFA said in a statement: “The Scottish FA has today received a report from Hawkeye on the incident that occurred at Livingston’s match against Aberdeen, which confirmed that the Broadcast 18-Yard Left Camera suffered a loss of calibration and ceased line tracking on the relevant video frame.”During the review, Hawkeye were able to reprocess the data through their system and draw the calibrated offside lines from the disallowed goal, which showed Angus MacDonald to be in an offside position.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The VAR made the decision using the technology that was available and this decision was validated by Hawkeye’s retrospective recalibration conducted as part of their review.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

  • in

    ‘Possibly the worst decision I’ve ever seen’ fumes Wolves boss Gary O’Neil after being denied late equaliser by VAR

    GARY O’NEIL blasted “possibly the worst decision I’ve ever seen” after VAR denied Wolves a 99th-minute equaliser against West Ham.And the Molineux boss admitted he could face an FA charge after a bust-up with referee Tony Harrington. Gary O’Neil blasted VAR after Wolves had a late equaliser against West Ham disallowedCredit: X/ @SkySportsPLTawanda Chirewa was ruled offside while being in front of Lukasz FabianskiCredit: PAWolves chief O’Neil raged: “I don’t understand it. I can’t think of an explanation. It was possibly one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.“I went in to see him for an explanation. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to refrain my feelings when I was in there with him.“I asked some questions, he didn’t like how I was asking them and we agreed we shouldn’t carry on.“I don’t know what happens now and whether he’ll report me but the explanation is irrelevant anyway.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSub Tawanda Chirewa was ruled offside  in front of Hammers No 1 Lukasz Fabianski so Max Kilman’s goal was struck off.Some of O’Neil’s backroom team were booked over protests after Harrington was told to go to the monitor by VAR Tim Robinson.O’Neil added: “I’m not even sure how many of my staff were booked after the final whistle.“If that decision is the letter of the law then the law needs to be changed.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe also claimed that opposition boss David Moyes agreed with him.But the West Ham chief said: “The way football is going, if you don’t get yourself back onside when you’re marking the goalkeeper — by what we’ve seen it looks offside.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers“I’m the last person to ask about the goal. We’ve had so many decisions go against us this season.“Some would make you feel like going into a dark room for a week. So I can understand why Gary’s upset and I feel for him.” More

  • in

    Premier League should stop expecting managers to behave like monks on the touchline, even players get away with more

    SUNSPORT’S April Fool’s Day VAR joke had such a ring of truth no one would be too surprised if it happens.Football is in the grip of over-regulation and our fun story on Easter Monday suggested VAR cameras would shortly be pointed at the managers’ box beside the pitch.Premier League managers like Jurgen Klopp can’t be expected to stand idly during matchesCredit: GettyKarren Brady insists managers deserve more lenient rulesCredit: GettyActually it isn’t even called a “box” but a “technical area”, a pompous way of saying not much at all.In this area, managers are expected to behave with the decorum of a monk.“Stand still please, or you’ll get a yellow”, warns a guy in a tracksuit standing guard over some of the greatest men in football.I’m a little over the top here. But when the rules of this area are more stringent than those in the House of Commons, matters have gone awry.Read More on FootballWhat would have been the reaction to Barry Fry at Birmingham?His touchline antics alone were worth the entrance money at St Andrew’s.I had been managing director a few months when we appointed Barry, whose top act was to race down a touchline arms waving, shouting advice and perhaps other things at his players.He is a wonderful character who today, I imagine, would have been manacled in his “technical area” complete with a rag stuffed into his mouth!Most read in FootballBlues fans loved his antics but, inevitably, it was banned.Fair to say it touched on rabble-rousing.Fans spot furious Erik ten Hag’s MELTDOWN on touchline as he screams at Man Utd star during Sheff Utd winAnd it would be ridiculous to allow managers free rein while their players are being told to behave as sportsmen and not incite the more excitable among their followers.But supporters like to see their manager get involved.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe image of Jurgen Klopp all in black grinning or agonising under his black cap is irresistible and his generosity of spirit has made him easily our favourite German.Publicly, managers have reacted mildly to their strange sort of imprisonment.Mikel Arteta has grumbled that three yellows for a ban is two fewer than players face.His stance is that managers are present at all matches whereas players are not, for various reasons.This is rather too sophisticated for most of us but the Arsenal manager has had four bookings this season — once for straying over the line and another time for, he said, “waving at Martinelli”.Two others have ventured beyond three.Touchline anticsItalian Roberto de Zerbi, the Brighton boss, claimed he got a yellow card because “perhaps the fourth official didn’t understand my words”.And Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag got one for protesting a throw-in too strongly.As a player, Vincent Kompany received just three reds in 17 years but he added another as Burnley boss at Chelsea last Saturday.He apologised to officials after the 2-2 draw.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Kompany also said: “The frustration comes from the fact it’s been a succession of them and these were debatable. I’ll keep saying what I think.”Good on you, Vincent!Unpredictable VARTHE PROFESSIONAL game is fast being played nearly as much in the rulebook as on the pitch — such is the pressure to win.
    The VAR record is good on offsides and line rulings but otherwise unpredictable — making mince meat of handball rulings and no ­better than a ref on free-kicks.
    West Ham’s 4-3 defeat at Newcastle turned on a questionable VAR call that Kalvin Phillips had fouled Anthony Gordon.
    But there is no point complaining as nothing changes and our boss David Moyes could do no more than grimace.
    I have written five letters to PGMOL this season questioning ­decisions. All you get back are ­pictures from the rulebook and ­justifications of the decisions.
    There’s something unbalanced when a manager can cavort when his team scores but cannot protest sensibly at a bad goal given against. More

  • in

    Premier League bosses to have touchline behaviour checked by VAR in shock move to clamp down on dissent

    PREMIER LEAGUE bosses are in VAR’s sights in the latest proposed clampdown.Players have been at the centre of regular controversies in the top flight since the introduction of video technology in the 2019-20 season.Prem managers will be under the microscope more than everCredit: RexGoal-line technology will be utilised to see if managers have stepped outside their technical areaCredit: AFPQuestionable ref calls, long delays on decisions and poor communication in the stadium have left fans confused and fed up.But their moans could get worse with PGMOL chiefs now considering bringing in reviews on MANAGER behaviour on the touchline.Bosses are expected to be filmed by VAR cameras on the sidelines to monitor abuse of officials and any other issues.Microphones will also be positioned near the technical area so that audio of heated discussions can be transmitted to the PGMOL’s Stockley Park HQ.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThis will allow VAR officials to make quick decisions on whether a manager’s treatment of refs has crossed a line.If an offence is deemed to have occurred, the on-field ref would then be permitted to stop the game to issue a yellow or red card for any misdemeanour.But PGMOL chiefs are also considering adopting goal-line technology to judge whether managers have left their technical area.This could mean the likes of animated title-chasing bosses Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp being punished for having a toe outside the white line.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSupporters’ group spokeswoman April Fuller said: “We all know managers push it at times but they could be under the microscope more than ever.“This is likely to leave fans really, really annoyed.”Man Utd’s top targets for the transfer window More

  • in

    West Ham rocked by Premier League’s longest ever VAR check that left David Moyes seething

    DAVID MOYES vented his frustration at West Ham’s rough luck with referees after enduring the Premier League’s longest ever VAR check.The Hammers had an injury time winner against Aston Villa ruled out by VAR, causing Moyes to confront referee Jarred Gillett at full-time having had a fourth handball decision go against them in ten days.David Moyes was seething at the latest VAR decision against his sideCredit: AlamyRef Jarred Gillett looks at a monitor as he watches a VAR Review of Jarrod Bowen’s goalCredit: GettyIn all the injury-time check took a staggering five minutes and 37 seconds, a new record beating the five minutes it took to rule out a Jay Rodriguez goal for Burnley at Bournemouth last season.Ref Gillett and VAR Tony Harrington decided that Tomas Soucek had deliberately handled the ball before Jarrod Bowen turned it in. If the handball had been deemed accidental the goal would have stood.Against Villa, the hosts had two goals ruled out for handballs following a check either side of Mohammed Kudus firing one in a second after the whistle had been blown for a foul on Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez by Antonio.That comes after a controversial call not to award West Ham a late penalty for handball against Sander Berge last Sunday, with a similar incident happening in their first leg against Freiburg.Read more football newsMoyes said: “We think they are goals but VAR are the ones who decide, not us.”Burnley last week, Freiburg last week, two today. Every one of them has gone against us on handball situations so it’s hard to take.”You’ve got VAR so if VAR thinks it’s right they’ve got a chance to look at things so they must be right.”Football people see things differently. Maybe that’s where I see some of them differently.Most read in Football”Undoubtedly you might think that some of them hit people’s arms and it does and if that’s the rule we have to go with the rule.”But we had two that hit people’s arms last week, not one of them went our way. Not one of them.”The Tap In West Ham’s Moyes Out fans should ‘be careful what they wish for’ ft. Tony CotteeMoyes, who said he will not discuss the incidents with referees boss Howard Webb, added: “You can contact Howard yourselves and get the results.”A late winner, following Michail Antonio’s opener and Nicolo Zaniolo’s equaliser, would have made it three Prem wins from four games for the Hammers and strengthened their European charge.Zaniolo has not started a Premier League game in 2024 but made a huge impact off the bench, ensuring Villa did not suffer back-to-back league defeats.Boss Unai Emery said: “I’m very happy for Nicolo, hopefully we can keep him in this mood for the rest of the season.”When they scored the plan changed and in the second half we did better than in the first half.”We dominated, scored the goal and tried to win the match. It’s a draw but the result is good for us.” More

  • in

    Mike Dean lost for words live on Sky Sports after VAR mix up for ‘stonewall’ penalty during Premier League clash

    FORMER Premier League referee Mike Dean was left dumbfounded by VAR confusion during Burnley’s 2-1 win over Brentford.Defender Sergio Reguilon was dismissed in the eighth minute for denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity, with Vincent Kompany’s men also awarded a penalty.Sky Sports thought the VAR monitor was not working but they were incorrectCredit: PAMike Dean was left baffled by the VAR – which turned out to be working perfectlyCredit: Sky SportsAnd Dean confirmed in Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday studio before the decision was made that it should be a red card and spot kick.As referee Darren Bond went to the pitchside monitor after originally not awarding the penalty, Dean said: “Stonewall [penalty], he has kneed him in the back of the leg and there is a push as well. Paul Tierney is the VAR and he has sent Darren [Bond] over.”It will be an interesting decision really because if the penalty stands, he [Reguilon] has made no attempt to play the ball so it could be a potential red card, too.”But Dean was then left baffled as those in the Sky Sports studio could not see anything on the VAR monitor.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDean added: “It’s plugged in but there’s no pictures right now.”It’s not the fault of the refs or the VAR, it’s actually the people running the system, so something technical went wrong somewhere.”This was actually not the case, with Sky Sports subsequently clarifying that the VAR technology was working fine.In fact, the five-minute stoppage to assess the incident was largely due to the VAR analysing an offside in the build-up.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe penalty and red card were eventually dished out, before Jacob Bruun Larsen converted the spot kick in the 10th minute.David Datro Fofana doubled Burnley’s lead shortly after the hour mark, before Kristoffer Ajer pulled one back for Brentford late on.Ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean embarrassed live on Sky Sports and told ‘get to Specsavers’ during Soccer SaturdayIt is Burnley’s first win in 12 games – a run which stretches back to December.But they are still eight points adrift of Premier League safety with just nine games remaining. More

  • in

    ‘Incredible, this is like a movie’, say fans as ref’s bodycam footage released ahead of possible Premier League launch

    FOOTBALL fans watched in awe as Bundesliga released footage from a referee’s bodycam amid talks of the Premier League following suit.Daniel Schlager gave a glimpse of football’s future during last month’s league clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg.at the Deutsche Bank Park.Footage from a referee’s bodycam has been released to the publicCredit: RedditFans were amazed with the Hollywood-like quality footageThe Premier League could introduce the same initiative in the futureSchlager’s VAR earpiece also featured a camera, which captured his view of key incidents during the game.And the German ref had to make a major call only two minutes into the match after Wolfsburg opened the scoring.Maxence Lacroix broke the deadlock and Schlager initially awarded the goal.However, another camera showed referees in the VAR booth analysing the opener.Read More on FootballThere was initial suspicion of a Wolfsburg team-mate pushing the ball with his hand after Lacroix’s header.However, after a rather long period of deliberation it was later determined that the handball was in fact committed by an Eintracht defender.And so the goal was awarded and that sparked quite an entertaining encounter which ended 2-2.Philipp Max equalised for Eintracht only 12 minutes after Lacroix’s dramatic goal.Most read in FootballKevin Behrens put the visitors back ahead on 36 minutes but Omar Marmoush salvaged a point in the second minute of stoppage time.Fans were left amazed by the footage with some even comparing it something they would see from Hollywood.One football enthusiast commented: “Incredible footage, this is like a movie ffs. Imagine this level of transparency in the Prem (LOL).”Another posted: “Reminds me of that Nike ad… so cool!”CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL A third said: “Sick footage, can’t wait to see it all.”This fan wrote: “This is fantastic for understanding what the referee sees, why and how some decisions are made. This should be the staple because it is really interesting and entertaining.”And that one stated: “Damn, this is nice.”The concept could be utilised by PGMOL in the Premier League in the future after a similar kit was used during a friendly between Chelsea and Brighton in the US last July.One refereeing source said: “It might help fans realise why decisions were taken.” More

  • in

    Jurgen Klopp confronts referee after 98th minute season-defining VAR call saves Man City at Anfield

    FUMING Jurgen Klopp confronted referee Michael Oliver after Liverpool were denied a late penalty against Manchester City. The game was level at 1-1 and in the eighth minute of extra time when Jeremy Doku collided with Alexis Mac Allister. This is the collision between Jeremy Doku and Alexis Mac AllisterThe City forward got away with itJurgen Klopp confronted referee Michael Oliver after Liverpool were denied a late penaltyReplays revealed the City forward kicking Mac Allister in the chest as they both went for the ball in the box. But ref Oliver waved play on and the VAR team refused to intervene as the game ended all square. Klopp was left raging after the final whistle and confronted Oliver to probe him on the controversial call. Manchester United legend Gary Neville said at the time on commentary: “I think he’s a lucky, lucky boy.” READ MORE IN football Neville also added: “Doku is very lucky. I thought he was in trouble.”The two sides played out a thrilling clash, but neither could find a winner meaning Arsenal now sit top of the table.City centre-back John Stones opened the scoring in the first half but a Mac Allister penalty levelled the game after the break.Klopp was still devastated after the final whistle as he said: “It was 100 per cent penalty. Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “They will find an explanation. It was 100 per cent foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card.”All the people with ipads around me were ‘wow, clear’. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase it is not clear and obvious.Roy Keane tells Micah Richards to calm down on live TV after furious rant about Man City and Pep Guardiola”It is of course a penalty but we didn’t get it and that is fine. The most important thing for me is that we can play football like that. “I saw so many sensational performances today.”Pundits’ viewsSky pundit Roy Keane didn’t agree though. He told Sky Sports: “Klopp makes a good point about Doku getting the ball but his foot is so high.”I don’t think there’s any force behind it. So, I think the officials got it right.”Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “I think he sees Mac Allister coming in and he’s almost trying to pull his foot away. I think if that’s being given on the pitch, it’s not being overturned.”But once it’s not given, he’s not gone fully through him. Klopp says anywhere else on the pitch and that’s a foul. I agree with that, but there is an unwritten rule in football where a penalty has to be a bit more.”When it’s in the box, it has to be a little bit more. He’s lucky but I can see why he’s not given it.” More