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      Fans fume ‘you can’t make this up’ after controversial VAR confirmed for huge Arsenal vs Liverpool clash

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      FANS are fuming about the controversial VAR allocation for Arsenal vs Liverpool.The two Premier League heavyweights go head to head this Sunday in a crucial clash in the title race.
      Fans are fuming about the Video Assistant Referee for the Arsenal vs Liverpool game this weekendCredit: Alamy
      Liverpool were denied a penalty by VAR last time the two met after Martin Odegaard appeared to handle the ball in the box
      It’s the second time the two sides have come head to head in the league in a matter of weeks.
      Their 1-1 draw last time out was clouded in controversy after Liverpool were denied a penalty for what appeared to be a handball in the box by Martin Odegaard.
      Mohamed Salah had attempted to flick the ball around Odegaard when it hit the arm of the Arsenal skipper.
      But after a review of the incident, VAR David Coote decided not to award Liverpool a spot kick.
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      The decision was later reviewed by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb on Match Officials Mic’d Up, who revealed it SHOULD have been a penalty.
      And now with the Emirates Stadium preparing to host the reverse fixture this weekend, David Coote has been chosen once again as the VAR for the match despite his incorrect decision.
      Fans can’t believe that Coote has been re-selected for the same fixture just six weeks after making such a high profile mistake.
      Taking to social media, one wrote: “You actually can’t make this up!”
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      While another added: “Make it make sense.”
      A third simply wrote: “Joke.”
      And a fourth joked: “Mortgage on decisions going Liverpool’s way in that case!”
      The game is about as high pressure as it gets as both teams fight for their lives in the title race.
      Liverpool currently sit top of the table with Arsenal just five points behind them in third place.
      But before the two meet in north London this weekend they will both have to get through their midweek Premier League fixtures.
      Arsenal travel to face Nottingham Forest tonight while Liverpool face the tough task of hosting Chelsea at Anfield.
      David Coote has been chosen as the VAR for this weekend’s fixture despite getting the penalty decision wrong the last time the two teams metCredit: Getty More

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      Fans fear ‘dangerous precedent set’ as top-flight match to be REPLAYED after ‘significant VAR penalty error’

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      FANS fear a “dangerous precedent has been set” after a top-flight match in Belgium was ordered to be REPLAYED following a “significant VAR penalty error”Anderlecht beat Genk 2-1 in December’s controversial game, netting a 91st minute to seal all three points.
      Anderlecht vs Genk will be replayed after a major VAR errorCredit: AFP
      Genk should have been allowed to retake a penalty before they went on to loseCredit: Getty
      However, the game was overshadowed by a bizarre penalty incident in the first half.
      Genk had the opportunity to go ahead, but Bryan Heynan saw his spot-kick saved by Anderlecht goalie Kasper Schmeichel.
      Team-mate Yira Sor then pounced on the loose effort before firing it into the net.
      But VAR recommended Nathan Verboomen disallow the effort.
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      Replays showed that Sor was inside the box when Heynan took his penalty.
      And the goal was subsequently ruled out, with Anderlecht getting a free-kick.
      However, VAR failed to spot in the same replay that two Anderlecht players had also encroached while the penalty was being taken.
      Under the laws of the game, Genk should actually have been allowed to re-take their spot-kick.
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      And a football disciplinary body has now ruled that Anderlecht and Genk must replay the match in full following the error.
      The Disciplinary Council for Professional Football made the decision following an appeal by Genk, who are fifth in the Belgian Pro League and eight points behind second-place Anderlecht.
      Referee chiefs had already dismissed the idea of a replay, but that has now been overturned.
      A statement from the DCPF read: “The Disciplinary Council for Professional Football has ruled that the Anderlecht – KRC Genk match at the end of last year should be replayed.
      “The Disciplinary Council initially declared itself competent to rule on the matter. This overturned the earlier decision of the Professional Referee Department not to replay the match.
      “The Council then followed KRC Genk’s argument that the match officials misapplied the rules at the penalty phase in question. KRC Genk hopes that a date will be found soon to replay the match.”
      However, fans fear the move could set a dangerous precedent across European and world football.
      Several Premier League games have seen controversial VAR decisions this season, most notably Tottenham’s win over Liverpool which had a legal goal disallowed.
      One said: “Insanely dangerous precedent.”
      Another declared: “The basic concept of VAR was to minimise human errors.”
      One noted: “If it happened here there would be three games replayed every week.”
      Another yelled: “Might get refs to buck up their ideas.”
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      One chimed in: “If this happened in the Prem the season would never end.”
      Another added: “Anderlecht to beat Genk through a 91st minute winner again.” More

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      Fans say ‘lucky there’s no VAR’ as Chelsea denied penalty despite Ben Chilwell taking ‘Superman punch’ in Boro showdown

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      CHELSEA fans were up in arms at the lack of VAR in their Carabao Cup semi-final win against Middlesbrough.Ben Chilwell made a brilliant run forward and was expertly picked out by a long Thiago Silva pass over the top of the Middlesbrough defence.
      Chelsea fans were raging as Ben Chilwell was ‘superman punched’ by Middlesbrough keeper Tom Glover
      It mattered not as Chelsea were rampant and won 6-1 to book their place at WembleyCredit: Rex
      Chilwell – who was making his first start since September – leapt and met the ball with his head before being clattered by Tom Glover in goal.
      The ball drifted just wide but Chelsea fans were left raging that no foul was given on the keeper.
      If this was a Premier League game, that decision would have been looked at by the VAR.
      But this game has no VAR after the four semi-final clubs agreed not to use it despite having the option to.
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      Middlesbrough do not have VAR technology available at the Riverside Stadium and the decision was made to abandon it in both ties in order to “maintain fairness and consistency” within the cup competition.
      That reasoning will not have appeased Chelsea fans, though, who were outraged at the lack of a penalty.
      Mykhailo Mudryk was also fuming and was booked for complaining at the lack of decision.
      One fan wrote on X: “Mykhailo Mudryk for appealing for a penalty to the referee, after Ben Chilwell received a superman punch from Tom Glover.”
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      Another added: “Goalkeepers are so overly protected. Boro’s GK doesn’t even get a fingernail on the ball.
      “That impedes Chilwell from heading the ball the way he wants. That’s a penalty.”
      And one said: “Goalkeeper doesn’t get the ball and fouls Chilwell who won a clear header (was definitely onside).

      “Very lucky there is no VAR.”
      The decision did not appear to haunt the Blues, however, as they quickly went in front at Stamford Bridge.
      It was more marauding play from Chilwell who latched onto a loose pass, drove forward and then brilliantly played Raheem Sterling through on goal.
      Sterling then cut back for Armando Broja, who appeared to finish but the ball was turned into the net by Boro captain Jonny Howson.
      Ten minutes later and the Blues scored again, this time it was Enzo Fernandez finishing from close range after good work down the right from Sterling and Axel Disasi.
      Disasi then had a goal of his own after nicking the ball in midfield and bursting forward to latch onto a Raheem Sterling cut-back.
      There was yet more misery to come for Middlesbrough before half-time – attempting to play out from the back, Dan Barlaser slipped and had his pocket picked by Cole Palmer.
      Unlike in the first leg, Palmer was able to finish his chance and make it 4-0.
      The misery didn’t stop their for the visitors, however, with Palmer scoring again after turning in a Conor Gallagher cross.
      Gallagher then provided another assist for Noni Madueke after more sloppy play from the visitors.
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      Michael Carrick’s side got a late consolation through Morgan Rogers, but it was Chelsea fans who were partying into the night after booking their place at Wembley. More

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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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