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      Arsenal icon Arsene Wenger baffled by England penalty and blasts VAR for ‘letting referee down’ in Euro 2020 semi-final

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      ARSENE WENGER has blasted VAR for ‘letting the referee down’ during England’s 2-1 win over Denmark last night.The Three Lions were awarded a penalty when Raheem Sterling went down in extra time with the score level at 1-1, with Harry Kane’s subsequent rebound proving to be the winner.
      Arsene Wenger explained his reasoning on beIN SportsCredit: beIN SPORTS
      Raheem Sterling went down under contactCredit: Alamy
      But Wenger, 71, felt that the contact on Sterling was too minimal to be a penalty.
      He said on beIN Sports: “No penalty.
      “And in a moment like that I believe that the VAR… I don’t understand why they don’t ask the referee to have a look at it and have a clear (look).
      “In a moment like that it’s important that the referee is absolutely convinced it’s a penalty.
      “It was not clear enough to say ‘yes it is’.
      “At least he should have had a look on the screen, I don’t know why the VAR didn’t ask him to go.”
      Host Richard Keys then asked if VAR had ‘let Denmark down’.
      To which Wenger replied: “I think that VAR has let the referee down.
      Denmark were furious with the decisionCredit: Getty
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      “Not Denmark. Denmark is a bit unfortunate and I understand it’s difficult for the referee – but he must have a look at it.”
      The Danes were also furious at a laser beam being projected at Kasper Schmeichel’s eyes while the penalty was taken, with Uefa taking action against England.
      And a petition has even been started by angry fans to have the game REPLAYED.
      England will face Italy in Sunday’s final at Wembley, after the Azzurri dispatched Spain on penalties on Tuesday night.

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      Fuming Denmark striker Martin Braithwaite blasts England penalty decision More

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      Liverpool star Thiago reveals he hates ‘modern football’ and it’s lost ‘magic’ after changes made to the game

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      SPAIN international Thiago Alcantara has revealed he hates modern football and believes the game has lost it’s magic.The 30-year-old has slammed the introduction of VAR – claiming he’s always been against it – and believes the No10 position has ‘almost disappeared’.
      Liverpool and Spain star Thiago, 30, isn’t a fan of modern tactics or VARCredit: Getty
      When asked how football has changed since he made his Barcelona debut in 2009, he told The Guardian: “It’s taken up a different pace, rhythm: more accelerated, more physical.
      “The figure of the No10 has almost disappeared. We see less magic, less fantasy.
      “You lose that player who’s different, who ‘breathes’ – the playmaker who was slower even if he had sublime technique doesn’t get the opportunity to turn.
      “I have that ‘hate modern football’ mentality, I’m more classic in attitude.
      “And then there’s VAR, which I’ve always opposed. It removes the essence, the picaresque.
      “We make mistakes when we play, referees have to make mistakes too. Lots of mythical moments wouldn’t exist [with VAR].
      “And when you score, even a brilliant goal from the halfway line, you’re waiting. Thinking, ‘I hope there isn’t a foul in the buildup, I hope there’s no offside.'”
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      Thiago’s opinion on VAR is unlikely to have improved since he moved to Liverpool in September 2020.
      The Premier League’s application of the system has been condemned by many in English football.
      The former Bayern Munich midfielder is yet to show the Prem what he’s capable of after a difficult first season at Anfield.

      Injury restricted Thiago to just 24 top flight appearances last term, although his form improved significantly during the run-in as Liverpool stormed to Champions League qualification.
      Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was forced to defend the playmaker’s performances in February following criticism from fans and pundits.
      Thaigo is part of Spain’s squad for Euro 2020 and played the final 25 minutes of his country’s 0-0 draw with Sweden.
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      Dietmar Hamann says he isn’t sure if Thiago’s the right fit at Liverpool More

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      Uefa chiefs discuss SCRAPPING away goals rule in Champions League and other competitions from start of next season

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      UEFA club supremos will discuss plans to axe the away goals rule tomorrow.SunSport revealed last month that Europe’s Club Competitions Committee was ready to change the much-criticised rule.
      The away goals rule in Uefa competition, which saw Spurs beat Man City in 2019, could be scrapped as early as next seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Andres Iniesta famously knocked Chelsea out of the 2009 Champions League semi-finals on away goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      But a proposal for away goals to count extra in the first 90 minutes of the second leg was parked.
      It was felt that stopping the advantage of away goals in extra-time would be too confusing.
      Instead, panel members will debate scrapping the rule, originally introduced in the 1965-66 season.
      Uefa is understood to be ‘neutral’ over the proposal, which must be approved by the ruling executive committee.
      If club chiefs agree, it could end for 2021-22 European competitions.

      FIFA has opened the door for ex-players to be in the VAR room.
      At the moment only current and recently retired referees — in the last three years — are allowed roles in the video booth.
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      Former stars could be allowed into the VAR room to offer a player’s perspective on decisionsCredit: EPA

      But Fifa president Gianni Infantino suggested the rules could change.
      Infantino said: “The real problem isn’t VAR but how it is applied and used. You can’t blame VAR if it’s not applied properly.
      “It’s only been with us since 2018 and we can improve a few things.
      “We will have to think about not having referees but specific VAR experts who can be responsible.”
      That suggests former stars could be brought into the process to offer a player’s perspective on what should and should not be penalised.
      Fifa has taken control of VAR from the International FA Board and is pushing for ‘semi-automatic’ offside calls using skeletal modelling — with decisions signalled to the ref and his assistants within seconds — for the 2022 World Cup finals.
      And Infantino is also a supporter of the ‘daylight’ offside law proposed by Arsene Wenger.
      He said: “We’re testing a possible new offside rule.
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      “VAR has created an unexpected situation.
      “Before VAR, referees were told to give the doubt to the attacker — but with VAR there are no doubts any more.
      “We shouldn’t cancel a goal just because the nose is offside — but that’s the rule. So you have to see if you need to change the rule.”
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      Premier League final table without VAR revealed with Arsenal in FOURTH and beating Chelsea to Champions League spot

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      ARSENAL would have finished FOURTH without VAR this season.A SunSport study of all the decisions overturned by Stockley Park show the Gunners were the biggest “sufferers” from the system.

      If all on-field original decisions had stuck, Mikel Arteta’s men would have earned four more points.
      That would have been enough to take them above Spurs, West Ham AND Chelsea and steal the final Champions League spot.
      Instead, Arsenal finished eighth and OUT of Europe for the first time since 1995-96.
      According to SunSport’s statistics, the final table would have shown a number of differences if VAR was not in operation.
      Liverpool, five points adrift of Manchester United in the actual table, would have swapped places with the Old Trafford side to take second, although still 13 points behind champions Manchester City.
      And West Ham, thrilled by the prospect of Europa League football, would have finished OUTSIDE the European spots on goal difference behind Spurs.
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      In total, there were 119 decisions changed over the course of the season, with 39 goals allowed, 28 penalties awarded and 22 spot-kicks waived.
      There was also 17 red cards awarded after VAR intervention.
      Arsenal’s “net score” of minus-six on total VAR overrules – with three decisions changed in their favour and nine against – contributed to a loss of four points over the entire campaign.
      With those points, Arteta’s side would have edged out Chelsea for fourth on goals scored by a single strike, with both having a goal difference of plus-20.
      Liverpool, who had a league-leading 12 overrules against them, compared to just six in their favour, lost three points.
      Manchester United enjoyed the most fortune from Stockley Park, with 11 changes in their favour and eight decisions changed against them, giving them three points more than they would have had without VAR.
      Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal dropped down the table thanks to VAR decisionsCredit: Reuters

      Burnley, who had five calls in their favour and none against, were the biggest beneficiaries in terms of net decisions, although it would have no impact on their 17th-placed finish.
      Aston Villa, who survived last season because of that astonishing goalline technology blunder in the first match of Project Restart, would have leapfrogged Everton to earn a top-half finish without VAR, with Brighton up from 16th to 14th.
      And while the bottom three would, unsurprisingly, have still been relegated, West Brom would have finished a place and a point ahead of Fulham, rather than one behind.
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      Mark Halsey says VAR needs to improve after ref Mike Dean receives death threats after West Ham game More

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      Top 10 best and worst innovations in sport with goal-line technology a fan favourite but VAR most hated

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      INSTANT REPLAYS, rewinding live TV and slow motion have been revealed as the best technological innovations in sports broadcasting.Research of 2,000 sport lovers also found 360-degree pitch-side cameras, spider and drone cameras and being able to stream sport to a phone or tablet are among the top developments of recent years.
      Fans have not taken well to VAR, calling it one of the worst technological innovations in sportCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      Goal-line technology, Hawk-Eye in tennis and photo-finish imagery in horse racing and running were said to be the best in-sport innovations.
      Unsurprisingly VAR is deemed the worst tech innovation in sport by more fans (31 per cent) than any other development.
      Despite that, nearly one in five fans said rugby is doing the best job of using technology to enhance the fans’ experience, suggesting there may yet be hope for VAR if officials learn how to use it properly.
      Technology has had a major impact on sport, with 76 per cent agreeing it has had a positive effect on the fans experience.
      The research was commissioned for Innovate 21, a new BT Sport competition to find the next big innovation in sports broadcasting.
      Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer, BT Sport, said, “There have been many impressive tech developments in the world of sport and broadcasting, particularly in recent years.
      “This research has highlighted the importance of tech for sports viewers.
      “Sport and sports broadcasting do not stand still though, and we are committed to remaining at the forefront of innovation.
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      BEST & WORST SPORTING INNOVATIONS
      TOP 10 BEST INNOVATIONS IN SPORT
      1. Goal-line technology
      2. Hawk-Eye/Cyclops Technology usually used in tennis
      3. Photo finish technology – used in horse racing, running and more
      4. Prosthetic devices for disabled athletes
      5. Under soil heating
      6. Retractable stadium roofs
      7. Wearable performance monitors – track speed, acceleration, power, distance and heart rate
      8. Head and Neck Support (HANS) – used in motorsports, this keeps the head from whipping forwards and backward in a crash, while also preventing excessive twisting movements
      9. Snickometer – used when televising cricket to graphically show whether a fine noise or snick occurs as ball passes bat
      10. Running apps
      WORST 10 INNOVATIONS IN SPORT
      1. Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
      2. eSports – competitive video gaming
      3. Fantasy football insight apps – these analyse data to help gamers
      4. Cavity backs – used in golf to help make misfired shots more forgiving
      5. Voice activated assistants
      6. Ingestible thermometer pills – allows a person’s core temperature to be continuously monitored
      7. Snickometer
      8. Under soil heating
      9. LZR swimsuits
      10. Sports analytics services

      “This is why we’ve launched Innovate 21 to create the opportunity for someone to make a game changing mark on the world of sport.”
      When it comes to nostalgia for sports technology, it was Teletext updates that topped the list, followed by waiting for Match of the Day highlights to catch up on all the goals. 
      Other highly-rated sports broadcasting developments included 4K definition, in-depth analysis and enhanced video players to view key moments during the game.
      Overall in sport the introduction of prosthetic devices for disabled athletes, undersoil heating and retractable stadium roofs also impressed respondents.
      Seeing the action more clearly as well as feeling closer to it and being provided with more insight and information were the most important roles of sports broadcasting, according to the study.
      Nearly a third thought the most-important role of tech in sport was to make the game fairer, while one in six believed it to be improving performance of athletes.
      Football topped the sports in terms of best utilising technology to enhance fan’s viewing experience followed by cricket and tennis according to the research via OnePoll.
      Snickometer divided sports fans with many seeing it as a great piece of tech while others found it less effectiveCredit: Sky Sports
      And aside from television viewing, 53 per cent have watched sport on a PC or laptop while 41 per cent have soaked up the action via their smartphone.
      Overall, 63 per cent believe technology has had a positive impact on playing sport and 74 per cent reckon it has made sport more accessible to a larger audience.
      More than six in ten people also believe it’s made watching sport a more sociable experience.
      Future-gazing fans revealed they’d also like to see increased use of artificial intelligence, augmented reality and real-time weather data and predictions in sport moving forward.
      BT Sport has launched Innovate 21 to find exciting new ideas, technology and services spanning the entire sports broadcast chain from entrepreneurs, creatives and start-ups.
      The competition will provide one lucky winner with the opportunity to work with BT to develop their idea for future use.
      Since winning the 2018 BT Infinity Lab competition, Sceenic has worked with BT Sport to support last year’s launch of Watch Together on the BT Sport App. 
      *More details on how to enter are available at BT.
      Sam Allardyce responds to major blow after West Brom have goal ruled out in questionable VAR decision More

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      Ex-Prem ref explains why VAR didn’t look at Youri Tielemans’ winner vs Chelsea despite Perez handball

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      VAR didn’t check Leicester ace Ayoze Perez’s handball in the FA Cup Final because it didn’t occur “immediately” before Youri Tielemans’ screamer The Foxes won their first ever FA Cup on Saturday after beating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley thanks to Tielemans’ sensational winner.
      Chelsea players believed the referee should have checked VAR after Leicester’s winnerCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
      Leicester ace Youri Tielemans scored a screamer against ChelseaCredit: Rex
      However, the star midfielder’s stunner was met with some controversy as the ball hit Perez’s hand, via his knee, when he tried to intercept a Reece James pass in the build-up.
      Luke Thomas then picked up the ball and fed the Belgium international who launched an unstoppable 30-yard shot, which gave Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga absolutely no chance.
      A number of Blues players implored referee Michael Oliver to check the incident on VAR and a raft of fans echoed the same sentiments on social media.
      However, former Premier League referee Peter Walton explained that the supposed offence didn’t create Tielemans’ goalscoring opportunity and thus didn’t fall under VAR’s jurisdiction.
      Walton also claimed that Leicester ace Perez didn’t break any rules as the ball came off his knee first.
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      He told BT Sport: “It’s a subjective viewpoint whether or not it was handball.
      “Personally, I don’t think it was a handball, the ball has deflected off Perez’s knee and just caught his arm.
      “That in itself people may argue is handball, I don’t think it was.
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      “However, VAR would not have got involved in that incident because the actual goalscoring opportunity didn’t occur immediately when there was a potential handball.
      “There was seven seconds or so between that potential handball and the ball hitting the back of the net.
      “That’s not immediately and the law states it’s only an offence if the goalscoring opportunity happens immediately, so good use of VAR.”
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      Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s narrow loss against Leicester in the FA Cup final More

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      Watch Leicester fans celebrate in pub as VAR comes to rescue and disallows Ben Chilwell’s dramatic late equaliser

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      LEICESTER fans partied into the night after Chelsea’s equaliser, through their former hero Ben Chilwell, was disallowed for offside by VAR in the FA Cup Final.The Foxes beat the Blues 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday, marking their first ever FA Cup trophy, thanks to Youri Tielemans’ second-half screamer.
      Leicester fans passionately celebrated Ben Chilwell’s disallowed goalCredit: Football Daily/Twitter
      Chelsea ace Ben Chilwell’s late goal was disallowed for offsideCredit: Football Daily/Twitter
      Leicester won their first ever FA CupCredit: Football Daily/Twitter
      The west Londoners thought they had equalised after 89 minutes when old King Power favourite Chilwell reached in a delicious long ball by Thiago Silva and saw the ball deflecting between Caglar Soyuncu as well as Wes Morgan.
      Chilwell passionately celebrated the goal against his former team and didn’t hold back before the returning crowd at Wembley.
      However, VAR had a look and noticed that the left-back was marginally offside and overruled the initial call.
      A number of Leicester fans were filmed celebrating the decision with all their heart at a pub as some of them even climbed up the tables.
      These scenes made for an unusual situation as not many fans have celebrated a non-goal like this before.
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      But that is the impact VAR has had in English football ever since its introduction two years ago.
      Many Leicester fans also took to Twitter after the whistle to celebrate their historic achievement.
      Some decided to poke fun at Chilwell, who got booed by his former supporters at Wembley.
      One fan wrote: “Match ticket £57, train ticket £35, Ben Chilwell knee sliding and punching his badge for it to be ruled out for offside, priceless.”
      Another tweeted: “Ben Chilwell has to stand there watching the players he thought he was better than get a FA Cup winners medal hahaha.”
      While a Chelsea fan wrote: “For me the high of seeing Ben Chilwell get the equaliser and then seeing it chalked off a minute later because his big toe is slightly ahead is shattering.
      “Always hated VAR and this is beyond a joke.”
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      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel didn’t seem to be questioning VAR’s decision to overrule Chilwell’s goal.
      But Tuchel believed the help of technology should have been used after Tielemans’ stunner as it appeared like the ball hit Ayoze Perez’s hand in the build-up.
      The Chelsea manager said: “I’m not an expert in handball any more, I don’t know when it’s handball or not.
      “I don’t know any more when they need to punish it or it’s OK to play with the hand.
      “In the second half we controlled the match even higher, and we conceded a goal out of nothing, a fantastic goal, but a lucky goal of course.
      “And then we have a big chance with Mason [Mount], a fantastic save from [Kasper] Schmeichel, and offside goal, that was very, very close.”
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      Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s narrow loss against Leicester in the FA Cup final More

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      Watch Chelsea disbelief as VAR disallows late equaliser to hand Leicester the FA Cup in dramatic Wembley scenes

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      CHELSEA were denied an equaliser in the final moments of Saturday’s FA Cup final after VAR spotted an incredibly tight offside call.The Foxes led 1-0 after a Youri Tielemans screamer at Wembley, which itself had to be checked for a potential infringement.

      VAR judged Ben Chilwell to be millimetres offsideCredit: BT Sport
      But Chelsea appeared to have denied them a first-ever FA Cup crown with the help of some penalty-area pinball.
      Ben Chilwell was picked out on the left flank and bombed into the area, picking out cross at the far-post.
      Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu cleared the ball – only for it to ping into the net as Wes Morgan rushed back alongside the tumbling Chilwell.
      The Blues defender celebrated a mad 89th-minute equaliser which was then ruled out in equally stunning scenes.
      VAR checked Chilwell against Soyuncu for a potential offside and judged the Chelsea man to be millimetres offside.
      Referee Michael Oliver then called back the play, sparking huge celebrations from the Leicester fans at Wembley.
      Chelsea thought they had snatched an equaliser in the final minuteCredit: AFP
      Chilwell celebrated his FA Cup final heroics at firstCredit: EPA
      VAR ruled out the goal on the tightest of marginsCredit: Getty
      Chelsea were left devastated by the decisionCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
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      The despair was clear on Chelsea faces and Thomas Tuchel’s team failed to muster a fresh response as the game drifted away.
      And the final whistle sent Foxes fans into raptures with a crowd of 21,000 allowed into Wembley.
      Leicester supporters had witnessed four FA Cup final defeats before the club’s first triumph on Saturday.
      I don’t know what is handball now or not. So I can’t comment and give my opinion and I don’t know why it’s okay.Thomas Tuchel
      Speaking after the 1-0 defeat, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel rued the disallowed strike alongside a Mason Mount effort that had been well saved by Kasper Schmeichel moments earlier.
      He said: “We conceded a goal from nothing. It’s a fantastic goal and a lucky goal.
      “We have a chance from Mason, an offside goal that was very close. We were unlucky today.”
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      On Leicester’s goal, the German claimed that Ayoze Perez may have committed a foul in the build-up and criticised the handball law.
      He said: “I didn’t see it. My assistant saw it on the screen on the bench and the players said it straight away that is was a handball.
      “It’s the second time; there was a handball against Arsenal and VAR didn’t intervene.
      “Today Leicester scored a goal but I’m not an expert in handball. I don’t know what is handball or not now. So I can’t comment and give my opinion and I don’t know why it’s okay.”
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