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      Raging Jurgen Klopp slams ‘insane’ refereeing after Liverpool denied TWO goals by VAR in Boxing Day win over Burnley

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      JURGEN KLOPP saw Liverpool go top of the Prem but raged at “insane” refereeing.Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota struck to down lowly Burnley at Turf Moor.
      Klopp was puzzled by how one Liverpool goal was ruled outCredit: Rex
      But the Anfield chief was furious after Harvey Elliott’s second-half goal was overturned by VAR Simon Hooper with offside Mo Salah deemed to have been in goalkeeper James Trafford’s eyeline.
      Klopp, who claimed Salah was pushed into the offending position, fumed: “They will tell us again it’s an offside situation or whatever.
      “It’s insane honestly. This man, if he never played football then it can happen.
      “You think ‘offside rule, let me see, page seven, there’s somebody between him and the goalie’ — that’s ridiculous.
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      “We all need referees but we need them with the right interpretation of the rules. How can you make this situation not a goal? That’s a clear goal.”
      Klopp added: “It’s just not OK. Trafford has no chance to get to the ball.
      “It was the perfect goal and Salah gets pushed into an offside position.”
      Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo also had a goal scrubbed out by VAR for a tug by Nunez on Charlie Taylor.
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      And Klopp’s comments will make uncomfortable reading for Hooper who was at the centre of more controversy at Manchester City’s 3-3 draw at Tottenham this month.
      He blew for a foul on Erling Haaland rather than playing advantage after the Norwegian had sent Jack Grealish clear through on goal.
      Even so Burnley could not take advantage of their reprieve and Klopp was delighted as the Kop’s title push continued.
      He said: “Forty-two points. That is really pleasing, really cool. The first part of the season is done. It was absolutely all right what we did. Not perfect, but all right.
      “It keeps us so we cannot be more than a point away from the top of the table if Arsenal win, that’s within punching distance.”
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      With Salah heading to the Africa Cup of Nations early next month, the Reds will need Nunez and Jota — who is just back from injury — to weigh in with goals.
      Klopp added: “Diogo is an incredibly important player for us, having him changes the whole dynamic. The goal he scored was a goal of a boy full of conviction.
      “The goal for Darwin was as important.”
      Burnley lost a ninth home match out of ten in the Prem this season but boss Vincent Kompany still believes his team can come good.
      He said: “We had our moments — the team fought and was alive and entertaining. It just lacks a final touch.
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      “I’ve no doubt they’ll make the step.
      “In my day Liverpool had one of the best sides and they are getting back to the intensity they had when I was a player.” More

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      Premier League club ‘demand referee Rob Jones be BANNED from taking charge of their matches’ after latest howler

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST have demanded Rob Jones be BANNED from officiating their games, it’s been claimed.The 36-year-old controversially sent off Willy Boly in the Tricky Trees 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend.
      Willy Boly won the ball cleanly against Adam Smith in Nottingham Forest’s defeat to BournemouthCredit: ALAMY
      Referee Robert Jones deemed the tackle worthy of a second yellowCredit: PA
      Nottingham Forest have demanded Jones be banned from reffing their gamesCredit: ALAMY
      Boly was shockingly given a second yellow for a clean tackle on Adam Smith, much to the frustration of Forest fans.
      Professional Game Match Officials Ltd admitted they dropped a clanger during the match, with chief Howard Webb contacting Forest to issue a grovelling apology.
      But Forest want Prem officials to go a step further by not having Jones ref their games.
      That’s according to The Daily Telegraph, who claim they’ve lodged an official complaint and demanded to hear Jones’ conversation with the VAR.
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      Forest’s reported complaint against Jones is the SECOND they’ve filed against the official.
      Jones was on VAR duty when Forest were on the receiving end of two controversial decisions against Manchester United in September.
      He backed on-the-pitch ref Stuart Atwell in his shock decision to send off Joe Worrall and his awarding of a late penalty to Marcus Rashford.
      New Forest chief Nuno Espirito Santo – who replaced the axed Steve Cooper – demanded a rule change be implemented following Boly’s shock dismissal.
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      Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo was fuming with the decision to send off Willy BolyCredit: Alamy
      The Portuguese gaffer said: “Very bad decision. A decision that totally changed the game.
      “It is more the frustration of knowing the approach of the referee is a bad one and the law says you cannot reverse the decision because it is two yellow cards. It is something they have to look at because it doesn’t make sense.
      “First of all, the approach of the referee is bad.
      “Boly has a first yellow card, which is fair, but then for the second the foot of Boly is under the foot of the Bournemouth player so the approach [from the referee] should be more cautious.
      “Wait a little bit for the help of an assistant or the help of VAR, hold your decision and they will tell you.
      “But after that he cannot reverse the decision.
      “Our fans deserve better decisions. They come here to see football and suddenly they see something which really changes the game.
      “I saw it over and over and over again to try and understand because I respect the referee.
      “I know it is a tough job. I have seen it many times and I cannot understand it, I cannot understand it. It was bad. It is a mistake, a huge mistake.” More

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      Fans slam ‘absolute disgrace’ as Willy Boly sent off for ‘cleanest tackle’ and ask ‘how does VAR make this mistake?’

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      FANS have slammed the referee’s decision to dismiss Willy Boly during Nottingham Forest’s clash with Bournemouth.The forest centre-back was sent off in the 23rd minute after he picked up two yellow cards, but those watching at home are convinced he shouldn’t have been shown a red.
      Fans can’t believe that Willy Boly was sent off by referee Rob JonesCredit: Alamy
      The Nottingham Forest defender seemed to win the ball cleanly against Adam SmithCredit: Rex
      Smith went down under the challenge of Boly and the Ivorian was dismissed for a second yellow cardCredit: Rex

      Boly had been rightfully booked just five minutes into the game, but it was his second booking that left fans incensed.
      The Ivory Coast international slid into a tackle against Cherries defender Adam Smith while appearing to come away with the ball cleanly.
      His studs looked to be down and he only led with one foot, but regardless of the seemingly fair challenge Rob Jones dipped into his pocket for a second time and sent him packing.
      Fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing and took to social media to share their opinions on the decision that was labelled an “absolute disgrace” by many.
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      One wrote: “So CLEARLY wins the ball. Absolutely ridiculous.”
      While another labelled Boly’s challenge as “the cleanest tackle” and couldn’t fathom why he had been sent off.
      One fan asked: “How does VAR make this mistake?”.
      Although the decision was frustrating, it was not the fault of VAR with the officials at Stockley Park unable to intervene in red cards that come as a result of two yellows.
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      It wasn’t just fans that were furious about the decision either with Nottingham Forest’s new boss Nuno Espirito Santo venting his frustrations post match.
      Steve Cooper’s replacement said: “Look I’ve seen it over and over again on the screen and I still cannot understand it.
      “Honestly I cannot understand it. It’s a mistake and I think he should have taken more time for the VAR to advise him.
      “I think we and our fans deserve more respect because this is a decision that totally changed the game and it’s not fair,”
      It was even more frustrating for Nuno as he was unable to get any points on the board in his first game in charge at The City Ground.
      Forest ended up losing the game 3-2 after Dominic Solanke secured himself a hat-trick and Bournemouth all three points with an injury time winner.
      Despite the Tricky Trees valiant efforts they were on the receiving end of their tenth league defeat this season and now sit just two points off the relegation zone.
      Dominic Solanke’s hat-trick secured Bournemouth a 3-2 victory at The City GroundCredit: Getty More

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      Watch bizarre moment Rennes are denied Europa League equaliser as VAR enforces little-known rule to leave fans baffled

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      RENNES went crazy with joy then astonishment – as VAR enforced a little-known rule to deny them a last-gasp equaliser and dump them in the Europa League play-offs.Video replays showed a “rare and unfortunate” infringement after Lorenz Assignon swept home 11 minutes into stoppage time during a 3-2 home loss against group winners Villarreal.
      Lorenz Assignon led Rennes’ ecstatic but short-lived celebrationsCredit: TNT Sports
      Rennes thought they had scored to secure a place in the #UEL last 16, deep into added time, but VAR had other ideas 😳Can anyone work out why this goal was disallowed? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/WHsxtuEt6I— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 14, 2023

      Assignon fired the ball home long after the initial free-kickCredit: TNT Sports
      Players from both sides were baffledCredit: TNT Sports
      Rennes’ Enzo Le Fee had taken a free-kick earlier in the build-up – with the ball cannoning off the bar and the midfielder touching it next.
      But that was long forgotten when Assignon fired the ball home in the middle of a crowded penalty area – sparking wild celebrations.
      However, VAR stepped in to ensure the goal was disallowed – much to Villarreal’s relief.
      That’s because a free-kick taker can’t be the first player to touch the ball after their own initial contact with it.
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      Commentator Sam Matterface joined viewers and pundits in being bemused – with TNT Sports at first suggesting offside might be the reason.
      And after the game Matterface posted on X: “‘I’m still baffled…..”
      Even Rennes manager Julien Stephan was in shock – and not just because a draw would have displaced Villarreal as group winners.
      He admitted he had to be told about the obscure law on free-kicks.
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      Stephan said: “I learned it too, I knew the rule on penalties, I didn’t know that it could exist on free kicks. It’s an emotional elevator.
      “I knew the rule existed for penalties, I didn’t know it existed for free kicks. It’s an emotional rollercoaster at this moment in time.”
      Fans were also confused, with verdicts including “Devastating” and “VAR ruining the game again”.
      One viewer wrote: “I’m almost certain this would be allowed in the PL because those on VAR would just not know that free kick law. Utterly useless.”
      But other observers were more clued up.
      Such experts pointed out the situation with posts like this: “Free-kick hits bar then comes back to player without a second player touching it. It’s the same as a player kicking the ball to himself. Rare and unfortunate.”
      Assignon blasts home but a rarely-used rule denied him late gloryCredit: TNT Sports
      Both teams protested as they waited for the VAR verdictCredit: TNT Sports More

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      SunSport expert says Tottenham star Romero should have been sent off for shocking lunge.. and fans agree

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      CRISTIAN ROMERO was extremely lucky not to be sent off against Newcastle.The Tottenham defender’s second-half challenge endangered the safety of Callum Wilson with excessive force.
      Cristian Romero challenge on Callum Wilson
      “I don’t think he’ll learn. I think it’s in him. Some players you can’t tame them. He’s one of those”The Super Sunday panel discuss Cristian Romero’s yellow card 🟨 pic.twitter.com/x6opwq33gx— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 10, 2023

      I wouldn’t blame referee Chris Kavanagh for showing a yellow card as Ben Davies appeared to block his viewing angle.
      But Romero, just back from a ban, went over the top, caught Wilson twice and this was a case for VAR intervention and a red card.
      Brentford’s Frank Onyeka and Jacob Brown of Luton should have also been red-carded this weekend for similar challenges which went unpunished.
      We need to eradicate them from the game because a player will get seriously injured if we continue to allow them.
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      Romero has just returned from a three-game ban for a straight red card earlier this season.
      So that means, had he received the same punishment on the pitch this time he would have picked up a four-game suspension.
      Most fans were incredulous at what seemed his fierce follow-through on Wilson’s ankle did not lead to his instant dismissal in Spurs’ 4-1 win.
      One viewer hit out: “How is that not a red? Wtf!”
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      Jacob Brown’s tackle could have seriously hurt Man City star Phil FodenCredit: Rex
      Frank Onyeka stayed on despite this challenge on Sheffield United’s Vini SouzaCredit: Reuters
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      Another argued: “Red card definitely. Looking at similar situations this is obvious. Have some consistency for once.”
      A third fan suggested some officials are hesitant to dish out straight reds – because of video replays.
      He wrote: “The referee gave a yellow cos he knows he has VAR to fall back on! This has been the referee mentality since VAR has came in! They don’t make the decisions and wait for VAR!”
      Many observers reckon Romero is a “beast” – but opinion is split on whether he can, or should, be controlled.
      One claimed: “He might not be the same player if you tame him.”
      Another fan made a similar point: “Romero’s style might be untameable, an innate part of his game.”
      But this post summed up the alternative thinking: “He’s a beast, but he needs to chill. Too many cards, too many fouls.” More

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      Gary Lineker rants VAR is ‘spoiling the game’ and admits he feels ‘guilty’ over backing its introduction in shock U-turn

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      GARY LINEKER has admitted he feels “guilty” for backing the introduction of VAR after performing a U-turn on its implementation.Despite the technology being brought in to provide clarity and certainty, it feels as though it now creates more debate than ever before.
      Gary Lineker no longer backs VARCredit: EPA
      Lineker fumed at the decision to penalise Havertz for a handballCredit: Getty
      Clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Wolves have all been on the wrong end of high-profile errors this season.
      PGMOL bigwig Howard Webb has already had to issue apologies to several managers this season after complaints from clubs.
      Lineker has complained on Match of the Day several times this season about VAR and revealed he regrets ever backing its implementation.
      Lineker was speaking with Jermaine Jenas and Ian Wright when they analysed Aston Villa’s victory over Arsenal.
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      Arsenal fans felt they were wrongly denied a penalty during their 1-0 defeat to Villa, as Douglas Luiz brought down Gabriel Jesus in the box.
      Kai Havertz also had a goal ruled out for a handball during a scramble with Matty Cash in the Aston Villa box.
      Lineker was particularly incensed by the incident, saying: “Why is it that the defenders can accidentally hand ball it but the forwards can’t? Why are we trying to stop goals? 
      “The people who make the laws of the game, why are they doing that, its really bizarre.
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      “I have to say I really don’t like VAR very much anymore, I was one of those that advocated it and I actually feel quite guilty, I was definitely wrong, it’s spoiling the game.”
      Wright also chimed in to call the handball ridiculous and called it “the most ridiculous law in all of law, not just football”.
      Wolves fans even staged a protest yesterday during their draw with Nottingham Forest More

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      Eagle-eyed fans spot raging Roy Hodgson’s disgusted reaction to VAR ruling out Crystal Palace penalty vs Liverpool

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      FOOTBALL fans spotted Roy Hodgson spitting on the sidelines after a VAR decision went against Crystal Palace during their Premier League clash with Liverpool.The Palace boss was left fuming after his team were denied a penalty in the 29th minute.
      Roy Hodgson was spotted spitting on the sidelinesCredit: TNT
      Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was shown a yellow card after fouling Odsonne Edouard in the box.
      However, Andy Madley’s decision to award the spot-kick was overturned after a VAR intervention.
      Will Hughes was deemed to have fouled Wataru Endo in the build-up, so Liverpool were instead awarded a free kick and Van Dijk’s booking was overturned.
      Hodgson was then spotted spitting next to the dugout in frustration.
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      Some fans picked up on it, with one person tweeting: “Not sure what’s more shocking: the fact Andy Madley didn’t think that was a foul initially or the fact Roy Hodgson just SPAT on the floor in his technical area.”
      While another wrote: “He just did WHAT in his technical area?”
      However, VAR did come to the rescue for Palace during the second half.
      Jean-Philippe Mateta went down following a challenge from Jarell Quansah in the Liverpool box, with Madley initially dismissing his concerns.
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      But after taking another look, Madley reversed the call to give Palace the penalty and Mateta fired his team into a 1-0 lead.
      Palace striker Jordan Ayew was then sent off after receiving two yellow cards and Liverpool went on to complete a comeback, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Mo Salah and Harvey Elliott. More

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      Fans reckon ref blunder vs Spurs ‘best thing that’s ever happened to Liverpool’ after yet more VAR controversy at Palace

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      FOOTBALL fans reckon Liverpool are getting the rub of the green with VAR ever since their controversial defeat to Tottenham.That’s after Virgil van Dijk escaped giving away a penalty at Crystal Palace due to a foul in the build-up.
      Some fans reckon Liverpool are getting VAR decisions ever since their defeat to SpursCredit: Alamy
      Virgil van Dijk gave away a penalty before VAR intervenedCredit: PA
      The penalty was eventually ruled out for a foul on Wataru Endo earlier in the build-upCredit: TNT
      VAR made the huge call during Saturday’s Premier League clash at Selhurst Park.
      Van Dijk was penalised for a foul in Liverpool’s box on Palace striker Odsonne Edouard.
      The Dutchman looked distraught as referee Andy Madley pointed to the spot.
      However, the official was instructed by VAR to check the pitch-side monitor as there may have been a foul on a Liverpool player in the build-up.
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      Wataru Endo collided with Will Hughes earlier on, conceding possession which eventually resulted in Palace’s penalty.
      But VAR and Madley agreed it was a pertinent issue in play.
      And to the jeers of the Selhurst Park crowd, the penalty was overturned.
      Fans at home were certainly unimpressed, with many feeling that Liverpool have been getting most VAR calls ever since a shocking call went against them in September’s defeat at Spurs.
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      Luis Diaz’s perfectly legal goal was ruled out for offside as the Reds lost 2-1 while also having two players sent off.
      But some supporters reckon Liverpool are now reaping the benefits.
      One said: “Liverpool ever since the Spurs game has had every decision go in favour of them. VAR is a joke.”
      Another declared: “Absolutely insane that the on-field call doesn’t stand there. It’s a foul, but the ref didn’t think it was. If that’s most other teams, VAR doesn’t intervene.”
      One added: “Ruling that goal out against Spurs is the best thing to ever happen to Liverpool.”
      However, VAR did come to the rescue for Palace during the second half.
      Jean-Philippe Mateta went down from a foul by Jarell Quansah in the Liverpool box, with Madley initially waving away his concerns.
      But VAR had a check and informed the ref that his decision needed checking on the screen.
      And after taking a look, Madley reversed the call to give Palace the penalty.
      Mateta then slammed home his effort to put the Eagles ahead at Selhurst Park.
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      However, goals from Mo Salah and Harvey Elliott helped Liverpool come back to take all three points and take over from Arsenal, who play on Saturday night, at the top of table. More