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    Sir Alex Ferguson ‘makes VAR view clear with cutting remark after Man Utd clash against Tottenham’

    SIR ALEX FERGUSON made his views on VAR clear after Manchester United’s recent clash with Tottenham.The Red Devils played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Spurs at Old Trafford earlier this month.
    Sir Alex Ferguson aimed a dig at VAR after watching Manchester United vs TottenhamCredit: Getty
    Ferguson was present in the stands for the match, sitting next to Sir Jim Ratcliffe as he watched the action.
    The four-goal thriller proved to be one of United’s most entertaining home fixtures of the season.
    According to the Daily Mail, Ferguson had a theory for this at full-time.
    He is said to have pointed out that VAR had not been used until the final 10 minutes as he chatted with his group after the match.
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    Ferguson previously suggested a perfect solution to VAR back in 2005.
    His comments on an ideal VAR system went viral back in December as footage re-emerged of the former manager speaking after Pedro Mendes’ infamous ghost goal.
    Asked if VAR should be brought in, Fergie said: “My contention about it in the past is that it would take too long, it’s a winter game, and people on the terraces are sitting waiting for something to happen and it could take a couple of minutes (for VAR to make a decision).
    “If you can’t make a decision in 30 seconds, the game carries on.
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    “30 seconds in a lot of cases is the amount of time you take for a goal kick, or a corner, so it wouldn’t kill the game in terms of wasting time.
    “For all decisions. It sounds sensible. You could start off with goalline incidents and see how it impacts the game – a start is always important.”
    United and Spurs played out an end-to-end game at Old Trafford on January 14.
    The hosts twice took the lead during the first half thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, either side of Richarlison’s equaliser.
    However, Rodrigo Bentancur pulled the visitors level moments into the second half with what proved to be the final goal of the game.
    Following the Premier League winter break, Ferguson’s old club are back in action again this weekend.
    Erik ten Hag’s side travel to Wales to face Newport of League Two in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. More

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    New footage shows Jude Bellingham losing it with referee in Real Madrid clash and swearing at him in heated scenes

    NEW FOOTAGE shows Jude Bellingham swearing at referee at half-time during Madrid’s clash with Almeria.The Madrid man can be heard swearing at the ref as he complains about not being given enough fouls during the game.
    Jude Bellingham fumed at the referee
    And was confused when the ref agreed with him
    He walked away in disgust
    New footage shows Bellingham saying: “That’s a foul on me there!”
    The referee replies saying: “I agree with you in that one.”
    Rather than the reply calming Bellingham down, he responded by saying: “Oh my God… brilliant. I don’t get a f*****g foul for you agreeing with me though. It’s just f*****g s**t man every week. F*****g hell.”
    Despite Bellingham’s complaints, Madrid were generally seen as the ones that got the rub of the green with decisions.
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    Madrid struggled massively against the bottom of the league side, who haven’t won a single game this season.
    They entered half-time at 2-0 down as Almeria raced into a surprise lead.
    Referee Francisco José Hernández Maeso was at the centre of the controversy for ruling out an Almeria goal, awarding Real Madrid a penalty and allowing a goal scored with Vinicius Junior’s upper arm to stand despite VAR intervention.
    All three decisions were made after Hernández Maeso rewatched the incidents on the pitch-side monitor.
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    Bellingham was on hand to score the penalty awarded by the referee after he judged Kaiky Fernandes to have handled the ball, despite him being pushed in the back by Madrid striker and former Stoke man Joselu.
    After the game, Almeria’s Edgar González said: “This is a competition that should be fair for everyone, and sometimes it’s hard to see that.
    “The [Madrid penalty] is a clear foul and I think the second is handball. All the decisions went in their favour.”
    Defender Marc Pubill also added: “somebody decided we couldn’t win and that’s what happened.”
    Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti saw things differently, however, saying: “I understand Almería’s anger with the decisions, but I think they were all correct.
    “I have seen them back. I think the referee gets them right. It’s not VAR making the decisions. VAR advises and the referee decides. I think he was right. More

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    Howard Webb ‘claims VAR was RIGHT not to overturn Ivan Toney’s goal’ in unseen letter to Nottingham Forest

    PGMOL boss Howard Webb has insisted VAR were correct not to intervene and disallow Ivan Toney’s free-kick in a letter to Nottingham Forest.Toney, 27, marked his return after an eight-month betting ban by scoring the opener in Brentford’s 3-2 win over Forest on Saturday evening.
    Ivan Toney was spotted moving the ball before scoring a free-kick at the weekendCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsPL
    Referee chief Howard Webb insists the VAR followed the protocols correctlyCredit: Rex
    But the goal caused much uproar as the England striker was spotted moving the ball and the vanishing spray before the set-piece was taken.
    Forest wrote to the referees’ body, the PGMOL, insisting Toney’s conduct was a “serious missed incident”.
    The Tricky Trees also questioned why VAR Michael Salisbury did not intervene in the matter.
    But, according to The Mail, Webb responded to Forest on Monday confirming that the appropriate protocols were followed.
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    Rules agreed by the International Football Association Board [IFAB] dictate that the VAR can only get involved in matters relating to “goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity”.
    Toney’s re-placing of the ball did not fall within this remit, so VAR Salisbury was unable to intervene.
    Forest are now internally discussing Webb’s response before they issue a comment publicly.
    However, they are “unlikely” to pursue the matter any further.
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    Toney could have been booked for moving the ball had it been spotted by referee Darren England.
    It is the second time in less than a month that Forest have been left furious with the implementation of VAR.
    In December, Forest defender Willy Boly was controversially dismissed for a second yellow card despite cleanly winning the ball in a challenge with Bournemouth’s Adam Smith.
    VAR was unable to intervene as it was a yellow card offence rather than a straight red.
    Neville won’t approve
    Manchester United legend Gary Neville will be unimpressed by Forest’s decision to write to the PGMOL.
    That is because he criticised both Liverpool and Arsenal for doing the same thing earlier this season.
    He tweeted: “Clubs writing to the PGMOL is embarrassing!
    “Liverpool and Arsenal started it and set the precedent of this nonsense.”
    Fuming fans
    Football fans were fuming after Toney moved his free-kick at the weekend.
    And they took to social media to vent their frustrations.
    One said: “Toney moving the ball to a more favourable position. Ban him again.”
    A second fan added: “Ivan Toney caught red-handed moving the vanishing foam (and the ball) while the referee’s back is turned.”
    A third replied: “Ivan Toney does not score that goal if he didn’t move the ball and the white foam. How did VAR not check that?!”
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    Another responded: “Toney not only moved the ball after the wall was set, he moved it a second time and even moved the foam 🤣 I’ll give Turner a break on this one.”
    While a fifth said: “Naughty boy Toney, moving the ball & the foam whilst ref wasn’t looking! Still a useless wall with that gap & GK in wrong position.”
    Toney curled the free-kick into the corner having moved the ball slightly to the rightCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsPL More

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    Afcon 2023 star celebrates on bench as he scores goal AFTER being substituted in never-before-seen moment

    YOUSSEF EN-NESYRI celebrated his goal against Tanzania in bizarre fashion as he had already been substituted.The Sevilla star bagged Morocco’s third in their Afcon clash against the 10-man East Africans at the Stade de San Pedro in the Ivory Coast.
    Youssef En-Nesyri scored for MoroccoCredit: AP
    His goal was not given until after he was substitutedCredit: Sky Sports
    En-Nesyri, 26, fired home after a brilliant ball from Achraf Hakimi found him open in the Tanzania box.
    However, it appeared that the goal was going to be ruled offside as VAR announced the goal was being checked.
    During the break, the striker was one of three players to be taken off by manager Walid Regragui.
    En-Nesyri, Hakim Ziyech and Azzedine Ounahi were all replaced by Ayoub El Kaabi, Sofiane Boufal and Amine Harit.
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    The striker managed to come off the pitch and sit down before VAR had reached its decision.
    After a long wait, the goal was finally awarded after he had been substituted.
    The Moroccan’s team-mates all jumped to celebrate with him on the bench.
    Fans were shocked on social media as one commented: “Is that a first? The VAR review for a goal by Morocco’s En-Nesyri took so long that he was subbed off before it was awarded and celebrated sat on the bench…”
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    Morocco are running away with the game 😮‍💨After a lengthy VAR check, Youssef En-Nesyri goal stands to make it 3️⃣-0️⃣! pic.twitter.com/L4BTGNNKGn— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 17, 2024

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    A second wrote: “En-Nesyri celebrated his goal on the bench haha.”
    A third added: “En-Nesyri first player to score while on the bench.”
    Morocco won the tie 3-0 as En-Nesryi’s goal was the last of the major action.
    Romain Saiss had given his side the lead in the 30th minute before Novatus Miroshi was sent off for Tanzania in the second half.
    Ounahi scored just seven minutes after the dismissal before En-Nesryi wrapped up the win.
    The win puts Morocco top of Group E ahead of Zambia and Niger. More

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    Audio of Martin Odegaard’s handball against Liverpool is released as Howard Webb reveals referee got decision WRONG

    HOWARD WEBB has revealed Liverpool SHOULD have been awarded a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal last month.The former Premier League referee gave his thought on the incident after releasing the VAR audio in the latest instalment of Match Officials Mic’d Up.
    VAR audio from Martin Odegaard’s handball against Liverpool has been releasedCredit: Premier League
    PGMOL chief Howard Webb talks through VAR’s decision to not award Liverpool a penalty for a possible handball against Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard 👇 pic.twitter.com/xAOm6o4xLM— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 16, 2024

    Liverpool were denied a penalty by referee Chris Kavanagh during the match at Anfield on December 23.
    Mohamed Salah had attempted to flick the ball round Martin Odegaard when the ball hit the Arsenal captain’s arm.
    However, a VAR review into the incident confirmed Kavanagh’s on-field decision.
    The audio from the decision shows Kavanagh saying: “No, his hand’s on the floor. His hand’s on the floor,” as the Liverpool players appealed for penalty.
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    Assistant VAR Lee Betts can then be heard during the review saying: “Yeah, from the brief look I’ve seen, yeah, agreed, yeah, yeah.”
    VAR David Coote then confirms the decision, explaining: “For me, Lee, I’m back with live. So, he’s falling down, he’s moving his arms in towards him, so it’s check complete for me.”
    Webb and former Liverpool striker Michael Owen disagreed with that analysis on Match Officials Mic’d Up, though.
    Ex-Red Owen admitted: “I thought it was a penalty,” before Webb explained his views on the decision.
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    “So do I,” the PGMOL chief responded. “The referee on the field recognised that Odegaard had slipped and saw his arm go towards the ground. 
    “We talk about ‘supporting arms’. If somebody falls, breaks their fall with the arm, it’s all very natural and a pretty well-established concept. In this situation. though, there’s an important difference to a normal play that’s falling.
    “This is not just Odegaard accidentally falling on to the ball. He does slip, his arm does go out, but he actually pulls his arm back in towards his body, which is when the ball makes contact with the arm.
    “The VAR looked at that aspect. He felt it was a case of Odegaard trying to make himself actually smaller by bringing the arm back towards the body. That is the element that’s important here.
    “Whether it’s instinctive or deliberate, he gets a huge advantage by bringing the arm back towards the ball. All the feedback we got afterwards was very clear. The game expects a penalty in this situation. I would agree.”
    Webb argued that the red card for Fulham’s Raul Jimenez at Newcastle and penalty awarded – also on review – for Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski’s “sustained” tug on Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, were correct interventions.
    Howard Webb revealed referee Chris Kavanagh should have given a penaltyCredit: Premier League
    He also backed Manchester City’s crucial penalty in the win at Everton, where the Toffees argued Amadou Onana was too close to the Nathan Ake shot to be penalised.
    But more surprisingly perhaps, the former World Cup final whistler said VAR Michael Salisbury was justified in allowing Luton’s last-gasp leveller at Turf Moor to stand.
    Burnley were furious, convinced that Elijah Adebayo had fouled keeper James Trafford before Carlton Morris headed home.
    But ref Tony Harrington’s initial view that Trafford has instigated the contact was eventually backed by Salisbury’s belief it was “not a clear and obvious error”.
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    Webb said: “I can understand why Burnley would expect a free-kick but I’ve spoken to a whole host of people who don’t see it that way.
    “VAR was brought in to rectify very clear situations. This was a grey one, not black and white. It split opinions so the VAR came out in the right place.” More

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    Ex-referee wants controversial rule scrapped before more Premier League players get hurt

    MARK HALSEY has called for the delayed offside flag to be scrapped to avoid more serious injuries.Ederson limped off with a leg injury after the Manchester City keeper collided with Sean Longstaff as the Brazilian tried to prevent the Newcastle midfielder from converting Alexander Isak’s cross.
    Mark Halsey has urged the Premier League to scrap delayed offside flagsCredit: PA
    Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson was injured before an offside flag went upCredit: Rex
    The goal was ruled out by VAR due to an earlier offside in the build-up at St James’ Park on Saturday.
    It is the second time City boss Pep Guardiola has lost a star due to injury in a similar situation after John Stones was forced off at his former club Everton last month.
    SunSport’s referee expert Halsey says the use of the offside flag needs to be looked at with an urgent review of the VAR protocol to protect players.
    The former Prem ref said: “The safety of players is paramount to the game.
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    “This directive about holding the flag needs reassessing because too many players are getting injured. I would change it.
    “It’s happened twice for City, firstly with John Stones and now with Ederson.
    “Football is an entertainment  business and fans want to see the best players on the pitch. Some of the best players are missing matches for injuries that are needless and avoidable.”
    Assistant referees have been told to keep their flag down — even if they think there is an offside — until the passage of play is complete.
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    Only once a goal is scored or the chance has gone will the assistant then  raise their flag to confirm the initial offence.
    That is so if a goal is scored then VAR can review the offside call.
    But Halsey, who started his career as an assistant referee, believes more responsibility needs to be given to officials on the field.
    He explained: “I’m all for letting the game flow — but officials need to show common sense.
    “If it’s a clear offside and the player is 40 yards from goal then the assistant referee should just automatically flag if they believe the player is offside.
    Ederson collided with Sean Longstaff as he tried to prevent a disallowed goalCredit: Rex
    “If the ball is in or around the penalty box then you don’t flag because you won’t get a serious injury with players bearing down on goal. There’s no risk for the keeper or defenders chasing back in that situation.
    “I understand why the protocol was introduced because everyone in football doesn’t want goals to be ruled out for tight offsides.
    “But these situations are not about a toenail being offside, they are yards offside. Assistant refs just need to award the offside.
    “It’s about understanding football and I can understand managers’ frustrations for this needless holding of the flag when there’s a clear offside so far up the pitch.” More

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    ‘Thank God there was no VAR’ – Chelsea escape penalty after ‘reckless’ Disasi forces Boro star off in FIRST MINUTE

    CHELSEA fans rejoiced there was no VAR as they escaped an early penalty scare at Middlesbrough.There was less than a minute on the clock in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg when the Blues were almost made to pay for Levi Colwill’s error.
    Axel Disasi slid in on Emmanuel Latte Lath in the opening minute at the RiversideCredit: Getty
    There was debate as to whether the Chelsea man won the ball or notCredit: Reuters
    Replays showed the impact of the tackle on Latte LathCredit: Sky Sports
    His loose touch enabled Emmanuel Latte Lath to race into the box with the ball.
    And as he got his tame shot away, Axel Disasi came flying across with a reckless sliding tackle – just hours after Mauricio Pochettino told his players to be more aggressive.
    Disasi got none of the ball and clattered into the Boro striker, who needed treatment and limped off a few minutes later, replaced by butcher’s son Josh Coburn.
    But Chelsea supporters watching the clash at the Riverside on TV were relieved to see the referee not give the spot kick.
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    And due to their opponents being in the Championship, there is no VAR for the Carabao Cup semis to “maintain fairness”.
    Therefore, there was no one at Stockley Park to tell the official to watch a replay on a pitchside monitor and overturn his decision.
    One fan said: “Thank God there was no VAR.”
    Another wrote: “Reckless challenge tbh.”
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    A third added: “Second replay showed that Disasi did not get the ball, but actually tackled Latte Lath.”
    A fourth joked: “Referees forgetting to blow their whistle because they are too used to VAR doing their jobs now.”
    And a final user quipped: “Fair play to Chelsea, they know the referees are useless enough on their own so as soon as there’s no VAR they’re fouling everyone.”
    However, not everyone was in agreement that the last-ditch tackle by Disasi was a foul.
    One replied: “It was never a pen.”
    And another agreed: “Fans crying for a penalty – it was never a penalty and VAR wouldn’t have helped overturn that decision.”
    Middlesbrough gaffer Michael Carrick – who was already without 12 players through injury before kick-off – could not believe his luck when Alex Bangura also had to be substituted inside 20 minutes, taking the tally to 14 crocked men.
    Cole Palmer missed a gilt-edged chance to fire Chelsea in front but grabbed his low shot wide.
    And Boro fans forgot about their penalty appeals ten minutes before the break when Hayden Hackney tucked in the opener, sparking bedlam at the Riverside.
    Palmer put another simple effort over and saw a third well saved by Tom Glover.
    Read more on The Sun
    And those misses proved crucial as Boro held on for a 1-0 win to take to Stamford Bridge in a fortnight’s time.
    Latte Lath tried to carry on but had to be substituted offCredit: Alamy More

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    Everton handed huge boost in Premier League relegation battle as Calvert-Lewin’s ‘disgraceful’ red card is overturned

    EVERTON have been handed a major boost in their Premier League survival bid with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s “disgraceful” red card being overturned.The Toffees striker, 26, was controversially sent off in Thursday’s drab 0-0 FA Cup third-round tie away at Crystal Palace.
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin has seen his red card rescindedCredit: Getty
    The Toffees striker was sent off in the FA Cup clash at Crystal PalaceCredit: PA

    Calvert-Lewin slid in and claimed the ball before catching Nathaniel Clyne with minimal contact on the shin.
    And after play was initially waved on with no foul given, referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Craig Pawson and subsequently brandished the red – to the shock of the Everton players, manager Sean Dyche and virtually everyone watching.
    The sending off warranted a three-match ban, another big blow for 17th-placed Toffees who have already been docked ten points this season for breaching FFP rules and are now one point above the drop zone having played a game more than Luton.
    However, Everton launched an appeal to the FA to get the first red card of Calvert-Lewin’s career wiped.
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    They were particularly keen to know how Kavanagh’s original decision was deemed a ‘clear and obvious error’.
    But now the FA have confirmed common sense prevailed as the red card was rescinded.
    And that means Calvert-Lewin will be available for selection for Everton’s Premier League games against Aston Villa at home on Sunday and away at Fulham on January 30, as well as the Palace replay next Wednesday.
    The FA said: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be available for Everton’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.
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    “The striker was sent off for serious foul play in the Emirates FA Cup game against Crystal Palace on Thursday, January 4 2024.”
    Calvert-Lewin looked genuinely bemused to be given his marching orders after Kavanagh was shown slow-mo replays on the screen.
    And even opposition defender Joachim Andersen appeared to tell him “it’s not a red” as he shook hands with the England international.
    Dyche – whose ten men held on for the goalless stalemate to force a replay – insisted he remained a “fan” of VAR but it was “beginning to test my patience”.
    Toffees hero Peter Reid tweeted: “I’ve lost the will to live, game’s gone.”
    And fans watching the drama unfold from home also raged at the decision.
    ‘ABSOLUTE JOKE’
    One said: “No physical contact at all. Goodness, what is going on.”
    A second wrote: “Disgraceful decision by a terrible ref.”
    And a third added: “An absolute joke. The beautiful game is finished RIP FOOTBALL.”
    And ex-Premier League ref Mark Halsey told SunSport: “None of the players on either side reacted to the challenge.
    “I do not understand why VAR Craig Pawson recommended a pitchside review and I’m surprised Kavanagh did not stick with his original decision.
    “You can argue it was ‘reckless’ and worthy of a caution but it did not meet the criteria for ‘serious foul play’.
    “It did not ‘endanger the safety of an opponent with excessive force or brutality’.
    Read more on The Sun
    “Those challenges happen all the time and the slo-mo replays always make them appear worse than they are.”
    The winners of the replay at Goodison Park next week will play Luton or Bolton at home in the FA Cup fourth round on the last weekend of January.
    Ref Chris Kavanagh waved play on but was sent to the pitchside monitorCredit: Getty
    The red card would have seen the forward miss three matchesCredit: PA More