VAR

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans stunned as Napoli goal is ruled out for offside EAR against Liverpool using ‘X-Ray’ VAR

      by

      FOOTY fans were left stunned as Napoli had a goal ruled out against Liverpool… for an offside EAR.Jurgen Klopp’s side returned to winning ways as they beat the Italians 2-0 in the Champions League last night.
      Napoli’s opener against Liverpool was ruled out for an offside earCredit: BT SPORT
      Leo Ostigard was left to rue the decision as Liverpool won 2-0 late onCredit: Getty
      It was Napoli’s first defeat in all competitions this season.
      But things could have panned out differently had Leo Ostigard’s offside opener been allowed to stand.

      The former Brighton centre-back headed home for Napoli in the 53rd minute after getting on the end of a cross from Khvicha Kvaratshkelia.
      It sparked wild celebrations from the Italians and their away supporters.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But VAR quickly interjected using new semi-automated X-Ray technology.
      High-tech 3D replay pictures revealed Ostigard’s right EAR had been offside when the ball was whipped in.
      And using the new gadget, the goal was swiftly disallowed by VAR before Liverpool struck twice at the death for victory.
      Supporters will have to get used to seeing the images everywhere shortly.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      That’s because Fifa are using the computer-generated offside calls at this month’s World Cup in Qatar.
      But some fans were left unamused by yesterday’s call at Anfield.
      One said: “As a casual fan I feel like offside should be visible with the naked eye.”
      Another noted: “If you have to measure it with this amount of detail it should not be offside.”
      One laughed: “His ear? EAR? Wtf?”
      Another added: “Game’s a joke. What is that?” More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      England fans still fuming with Maradona’s Hand of God goal and other controversial World Cup moments that needed VAR

      by

      MILLIONS of football fans are STILL sore about Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God knocking England out of the World Cup in 1986 – and nearly half say they will “never forgive him”.A poll of 2,000 lovers of the game found the Argentine ace’s controversial goal topped a list of the most controversial World Cup moments that might have benefited from video replays for referees.
      Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal is one of the most controversial moments in sporting historyCredit: Getty
      Frank Lampard’s strike in South Africa clearly crossed the line but was missed by the refsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Other memorable moments fans believe would have benefited from VAR include Frank Lampard’s clearly over-the-line shot against Germany in 2010 that wasn’t given.
      And Thierry Henry’s blatant – yet unpunished – handball against Ireland in in a 2009 World Cup play-off was chosen by 28 per cent.
      Just under one in five (19 per cent), however, also suspect Geoff Hurst’s game-changing goal in the 1966 final, which England went on to win, might not have been given had VAR been around.
      The research was commissioned by Samsung UK to showcase the 2022 range of Neo QLED TVs, featuring Quantum Dot technology.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      VAR analyst and former professional referee Dermot Gallagher, working with Samsung, said: “As a proud Irish man, the most controversial decision for me has to be Thierry Henry’s handball in the World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in 2009.
      “With VAR and decent tech in place, the foul would have been called, bringing the tied game to penalties.”
      Other World Cup injustices football fans recall include Spain having two perfectly good goals disallowed against tournament hosts South Korea in 2002 (19 per cent).
      And 21 per cent are still bitter about West Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann diving in the 1990 final, which got the Argentine Monzón sent off.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Some 63 per cent of respondents believe VAR would have eradicated most of the World Cup injustices that have taken place over the years.
      But 48 say while VAR has advantages, it still has a way to go before it’s a truly useful tool when it comes to refereeing matches.
      The biggest drawback football fans see with VAR is that it means you don’t know whether a goal can be celebrated, in case it’s chalked off for some unseen infringement (28 per cent).
      Another 28 per cent think it’s being used for the “wrong” reasons – like trying to gauge if a handball was deliberate, instead of a binary decision like if a ball had crossed the line.
      And 19 per cent believe that far from solving any debates, VAR actually leads to even more arguments among pundits post-game.
      The study also found during a typical World Cup match, fans will disagree with a referee’s decision four times.
      And a staggering 36 per cent even believe they could competently referee a match at the highest level – the World Cup finals.
      Spokesperson Zeena Hill, for Samsung UK, which has offered to supply the English Football Association, and FIFA World Cup, VAR departments with Neo QLED TVs to help with picture detail, said: “With recent success for the English national teams, the excitement for this year’s World Cup is bigger than ever.”
      Nigel de Jong somehow avoided a red card for this horror tackle on Xabi AlonsoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Thierry Henry got away with the blatant handball against IrelandCredit: EPA
      Dermot Gallagher had his say on some of the decisions as part of Samsung UK’s campaignCredit: PATop 10 World Cup moments that needed VAR

      Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in 1986
      Frank Lampard’s shot against Germany that hit the bar and clearly crossed the line, but wasn’t given in 2010
      Thierry Henry’s handball for France vs Ireland in a 2010 World Cup Qualifier
      West Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher’s unpunished, incredible foul against France’s Patrick Battiston in 1982
      Holland’s Nigel de Jong not being sent off for a studs-up foul into Spain’s Xabi Alonso’s chest in the opening minutes of the 2010 World Cup Final
      West Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann’s iconic dive in the 1990 Final resulting in Argentina’s Monzón being sent off
      Portugal’s Luis Figo not getting sent off for a headbutt against Netherland’s Van Bommel in 2006
      Neymar receiving a yellow card and not a red for an elbow in Brazil’s game against Croatia in 2014
      Spain having two perfectly good goals disallowed against South Korea in 2002
      Geoff Hurst’s goal for England in the 1966 World Cup Final More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Mike Dean swaps VAR hotseat for Spain as former referee takes mid-season holiday to stock up on BEER

      by

      MIKE DEAN has been given the weekend off by the Premier League for a holiday in Spain.The Wirral whistler, who retired as a referee last season, is now a dedicated VAR official.
      Mike Dean has taken some time away from VAR duties to stock up on beer in SpainCredit: Instagram
      And Dean, 54, has swapped Stockley Park for stocking up on beers in Murcia.
      Dean posted on his Instagram stories: “Outdoor fridge fully stocked ready for the invasion.”
      The picture had shelves of beers on show including Mahou and Estrella.
      Dean is enjoying his holiday ahead of next month’s World Cup.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      During the Qatar tournament, the ex-Premier League official will be a pundit for beIN Sports to provide analysis of the finals.
      His last Prem action saw him as the VAR official for West Ham’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday night which angered Cherries caretaker boss Gary O’Neil.
      O’Neil slammed VAR as “getting ridiculous” after Kurt Zouma’s header for the opener was allowed to stand despite the ball hitting the arm of Thilo Kehrer in the build-up.
      The Hammers were also awarded a penalty when Bournemouth sub Jordan Zemura handled Vladimir Coufal’s cross.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
      Meanwhile, Dean also landed himself in hot water earlier this season when he failed to spot Cristian Romero’s hair pull on Marc Cucurella during Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
      Dean reviewed the incident but deemed it not to be a red card offence.
      And from the resulting corner, Harry Kane headed a stoppage time equaliser for Tottenham. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Furious Spurs boss Antonio Conte says VAR blunders should be ‘impossible’ and reckons he could do better from his sofa

      by

      ANTONIO CONTE claims it should be “impossible” for VAR to blunder — and reckons he could make better decisions from his sofa.The Tottenham boss is still furious Harry Kane’s last-gasp Champions League ‘winner’ against Sporting Lisbon was ruled out by video refs.
      Kane’s last-gasp goal was disallowed for offsideCredit: Rex
      Conte was left furious and the referee swiftly sent him offCredit: Alamy
      And Conte insists the red card he was shown for protesting — which will see him banned from Tuesday’s showdown in Marseille — was unfair.
      The Italian said: “It’s impossible to make mistakes with VAR, you have a screen, you have time. When I stay at home and I see the VAR image then, for me, it is easy to take the best decision.
      “Instead, then you see they take the opposite decision.”
      Kane’s stoppage-time strike — 14 seconds from the end of the game — was disallowed for offside.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But Conte, 53, added: “You score, qualified for the next round, you are celebrating. And then you stay for five minutes to look at the situation with VAR — they take the decision and you don’t know if it’s right or wrong.
      “This is not football because you cut emotion, the emotion of everybody, and especially the players because you don’t know.”
      Conte’s red card for entering the pitch against Sporting means he will not be in the dugout or allowed to communicate with players in Marseille.
      And defeat could see his Tottenham side exit the Champions League.
      Most read in Sport
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Conte, who did not appear to realise he had copped a ban, added: “It’s a pity, especially because I didn’t insult anyone.
      “It was only because I came on to the pitch, then to be banned from an important game.
      “If you book me, then it shows me not to come on to the pitch — but now it’s in the past.” More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Antonio Conte banned from Tottenham’s crunch Champions League clash in Marseille in huge blow after VAR-rage red card

      by

      ANTONIO CONTE will be banned for next week’s crucial Champions League match at Marseille.The Spurs boss will also not be allowed to directly communicate with his players or staff or enter the dressing room next Tuesday.
      Antonio Conte was sent off after VAR ruled out Tottenham’s winner against SportingCredit: Reuters
      It comes after he was sent off by referee Danny Makkelie in the closing stages of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Sporting for blasting the decision to disallow Harry Kane’s stoppage-time strike.
      A red card shown to an official in a Uefa competition carries an automatic one-match suspension.
      Conte will have to sit in the stands of the Stade Velodrome, where Spurs need a draw to qualify for the last 16.
      Article 69 of Uefa’s disciplinary regulations states: “A team manager/coach or other team official who is sent off or suspended from carrying out his function may not be in the technical area or communicate directly with the team’s players and/or technical staff during the match.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “In addition, a team manager/coach or any other team official who is suspended from carrying out his function may not enter the dressing room or tunnel before or during the match.”
      Spurs can appeal, and are still deciding whether or not they will.
      The club are also awaiting confirmation from Uefa as to the exact reason for the red card.
      But Conte is also in danger of further punishment once referee Makkelie has handed in his match report for the Group D fixture.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Conte was still seething when he spoke afterwards and Uefa may also investigate his post-match comments.
      During his short press conference, the 53-year-old accused VAR of being dishonest, creating “big damage” and insisted it would not have disallowed Kane’s goal had it been for a “top team, in an important game” before he walked out after one question.
      The England captain sparked wild celebrations with a 95th-minute winner which would have sealed Spurs’ last-16 Champions League spot.
      Emerson Royal headed the ball against a Sporting defender but Kane was deemed to be offside.
      And, after a four-minute video review, ref Makkelie disallowed it. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Raging Antonio Conte storms out of Spurs press conference after ONE question after VAR rules out late Harry Kane winner

      by

      FUMING Antonio Conte launched a scathing attack on VAR for “damaging football” – and being biased against Tottenham.Harry Kane sparked wild celebrations with a 95th-minute “winner” which would have sealed Spurs’ last-16 Champions League spot.
      Antonio Conte was too ‘upset’ to continue his press conference beyond two minutes
      Ref Danny Makkelie showed Spurs chief Antonio Conte the red card for protesting at Harry Kane’s stoppage-time goal being disallowedCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But after a FOUR-MINUTE review, Dutch VAR Pol van Boekel told his compatriot ref Danny Makkelie to disallow it for offside.
      Tottenham boss Conte was sent off as he furiously protested, while raging fans booed the officials.
      The Italian later stormed out of a press conference after just one question as he blasted: “I don’t see honesty.”
      He went on to say: “VAR is doing a lot of damage.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “I want to see if, in another stadium of a big team, they are ready to disallow this type of goal. I’d like to know this.
      “I feel a lot of injustice. I don’t like this type of situation. I see no positive things.
      “I would like to see if VAR is so brave enough to make an unfair decision.
      “This decision creates a big damage to the club.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “I don’t see honesty…I’m REALLY upset! ” 😡Antonio Conte left fuming at VAR decision and leaves press conference after one question 😳pic.twitter.com/4YFr0OFGtu— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 26, 2022

      “I hope the club understands this and they speak with the people they have to speak with.
      “The club has to be strong, otherwise it is only the manager speaking. It creates big, big damage.”
      Emerson Royal headed the ball against a Sporting defender in the build-up but VAR Van Boekel deemed Kane to be ahead of the ball.
      Even the official VAR photo looked inconclusive.
      Now, Tottenham still need a point at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome next Thursday to progress into the knockout stage.
      Conte added: “The ball was in front of Kane and the goal is a goal.
      “I don’t understand the line they put. It is very difficult to comment on this decision.
      “I don’t comment on the referee’s decision but the VAR this season in between Prem and Champions League, we are unlucky.
      Goal should have stood, says Mark HalseyDUTCH VAR Pol van Boekel’s controversial decision to rule out Harry Kane’s late would-be winner for offside was very, very tight.
      The fact the ball deflected off Sporting defender Flavio Nazinho before it reached Kane is irrelevant because it was not a deliberate play.
      Secondly, the fact the ball went backwards off Emerson Royal’s head before it reached Kane does not matter either, the direction of the ball never does.
      It is whether Kane was closer to the goal line than the ball and the second-most rear defender when it was played.
      If Kane was judged to have been behind the ball, he would have been onside.
      Technology isn’t foolproof and can we say Kane was definitely in front of the ball when Royal headed it? I’m not sure.
      It took around four minutes to check and if it is taking that long we shouldn’t be disallowing goals like that.
      It was very difficult to tell if Kane was a toenail in front or behind the ball.
      If that’s what the VAR is looking for and it takes four minutes, you can find whatever you want to find. 

      “We are only the team that has repeated a penalty.
      “And every penalty I go to see if the keeper moves on the line and then I see it a lot of time.
      “I want to see a repeat of penalties in the Prem. We are not so lucky with VAR. I think they create a big damage.”
      Heartbroken Kane added: “I don’t really know what to say to be honest I’m just absolutely gutted it ended like that and not with a win.
      “To take the positives we showed great fighting spirit and it’s all in our hands for the final group game.”
      While team-mate Matt Doherty added: “You can see from the celebrations we thought we won it.
      “I don’t know what happened at the end.
      “I thought because the ball went backwards and hit a defender it was a different phase of play. I’ll have to look at the rule book.
      “A few of us don’t have a clue what happened.”
      The late mayhem came after Rodrigo Bentancur cancelled out Marcus Edwards’ opener against his old side.
      Conte is the only man sent off in both the Prem and the Champions League this season.
      Read More on The Sun
      But he claimed he was given the red card only because he was the most famous person on the pitch!
      He added: “All the people come inside (the pitch) after the decision to disallow the goal and then they came to give me the red card, maybe because I was the more popular person on the pitch.” More

    • 250 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      West Ham 2 Bournemouth 0: Watch Zouma’s ‘volleyball’ opener as VAR lets goal stand after calls for handball in build-up

      by

      KURT ZOUMA scored his first goal since THAT shameful cat-kicking video as West Ham benefited from two PURR-fect VAR calls.In the summer, the controversial Frenchman was sentenced to 180 hours of community service after pleading guilty to kicking and slapping a fragile feline in a social-media post that went viral.

      Kurt Zouma nodded in a fortuitous goal to put West Ham into the leadCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Zouma scored a dubious goal which had Bournemouth players incredulousCredit: Getty
      The opener was contentious as West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer appeared to handle the ballCredit: Sky Sports Premier League
      Kehrer seemed to suggest the ball hit his chest – Bournemouth disagreedCredit: Sky Sports Premier League
      Though he stole the headlines last night for the right reasons, the Hammers defender had a nervous wait to find out if his goal against Bournemouth would stand – as the visitors complained about a ‘volleyball-style’ handball in the build-up.
      But having recently chastened Stockley Park officials – he said they should have gone to Specsavers – boss David Moyes was grateful they did not cave into the Cherries protestations.
      The usually-beleaguered men in front of the TV screens rightly agreed with the on-field decision by referee David Coote – and even gave West Ham a late spot-kick for handball.
      This hard-fought result means West Ham lie in tenth place now, having risen SEVEN places in a congested table.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      And reaching their highest position in this stop-start campaign will ease any anxieties there may have been about their previous close proximity to the bottom three.
      Under the tutelage of interim boss Gary O’Neil – who played in midfield in West Ham’s promotion-winning season a decade ago – Bournemouth have become a hard side to defeat.
      It is all a far cry from the 9-0 annihilation at Liverpool – a record Prem loss – in late August which left Scott Parker’s job untenable.
      Since coming in, O’Neill has witnessed three Premier League managers get sacked, two Monarchs sit on the Buckingham Palace throne and three Prime Ministers take up office.
      Most read in Sport
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      What O’Neill has done impressively in his time in the South Coast hot seat is tighten up a leaky defence, particularly on their travels.
      It was clear from the beginning that Bournemouth came here with the sole purpose to counter-attack and frustrate the opposition front line.
      And until he came off with an injury, their centre forward Dominic Solanke had two chances to score on the break for the visitors but was both times stopped by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
      Down the other end, two brilliant saves in three first-half minutes from Brazilian goalkeeper Neto thwarted the claret-and-blue troops.
      One was a fine fingertip save to turn over a thunderous strike from Aaron Cresswell.
      The next was a solid block from Tomas Soucek from close range even though Gianluca Scamacca was flagged offside in the build-up.
      The West Ham opener arrived shortly before half-time – to great relief around the London Stadium – but Bournemouth stars marched straight to the ref because the Jarrod Bowen corner struck the hands of Thilo Kehrer.
      In the midst of the pinball shenanigans in the Bournemouth box it was Zouma who applied the final touch.
      Said Benrahma wrapped up the points from the penalty spotCredit: Getty
      The goal was no more than Benrahma deserved for an energetic performanceCredit: Getty
      VAR was needed for the second goal too as West Ham bagged the three pointsCredit: Sky Sports Premier League
      And once VAR correctly ruled in West Ham’s favour – it was not deliberate and did not lead directly to the goal – the French defender celebrated for the first time since scoring against Liverpool in November 2021.
      While the poor cat felt the full force of his boot, ten of his 11 Prem goals have now come via his head.
      O’Neil was furious and received a yellow card during the break when he told Coote: “That’s a handball, that’s a fact.”
      For the second half, Neto did not reappear, having pulled a muscle in his right leg in innocuous fashion as he hoofed upfield a clearance.
      In his place came Mark Travers – his last appearance was THAT Anfield mauling – and he was tested on the hour mark by Declan Rice’s chested volley from distance.
      Bournemouth made some subs in the second half and gave the home side a few scares with some forays forward.
      Read More on The Sun
      But Bournemouth substitute Jordan Zemura had his head in his hands when a penalty was awarded against him for handball in stoppage-time from a Vladimir Coufal cross following VAR intervention.
      Said Benrahma, who took over the duties from Bowen, did not miss from 12 yards as Moyes’s team won for the fifth time at home in all competitions, a record since the days they used to play at Upton Park.
      Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neill was fuming at both goals been given against his teamCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      David Moyes was delighted with his side’s performance in a solid home winCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      What Pep Guardiola said to Mo Salah after hot-tempered Liverpool win over Man City revealed by lip reader

      by

      RIVALS Mohamed Salah and Pep Guardiola were spotted in discussion just after Liverpool’s thrilling 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.And a professional lip reader reckons they spoke about one of the controversial refereeing decisions from the game.
      Pep Guardiola and Mohamed Salah spoke to each other at full-timeCredit: Reuters
      Salah scored the winning goal in a thrilling encounter at AnfieldCredit: PA
      Salah and Guardiola sportingly shook hands after the high-octane encounter, which was settled by a strike from the Egyptian King.
      They also had a quick chat, which led to speculation from fans what they could be talking about.
      Liverpool ace Salah, 30, covered his mouth as he spoke while City boss Guardiola, 51, talked openly.
      Professional lip reader John Cassidy has analysed their interaction, and while Salah’s words remain a mystery, he believes he has broken down what Guardiola said.
      Read More In Football
      Via the Mirror, Cassidy reckons Guardiola said to Salah: “Have a good season, good game, you too, what’s up?
      Guardiola was then hidden behind Salah momentarily.
      But when his mouth came back into shot, Cassidy believes he continued: “There’s no doubt about it, not maybe – definite. It’s definite, definite.”
      The Spanish gaffer could have been talking about Phil Foden’s disallowed goal.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      City believed they had taken the lead when Foden found the back of the net, only for VAR to rule it out for an Erling Haaland foul on Fabinho in the build up to the goal.
      Guardiola was left fuming by the decision, and told Sky Sports after the game: “The referee came to the coaches [before the game] and said play on, play on.
      “There were a million fouls. But after we scored a goal, he decided it is not play on. This is Anfield.”
      Meanwhile, some fans are convinced Salah HANDLED the ball seconds before scoring the winning goal.
      New camera angles appear to raise questions about whether the ball lightly touched Salah’s arm, which under current rules would mean the goal should not have stood.
      Salah netted the winner after spinning away from Joao CanceloCredit: Getty More