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      Fans left stunned by Afcon turnaround as Osimhen scores to seal win… only for VAR to give PENALTY at the other end

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      NIGERIA’S semi-final clash against South Africa was turned on its head by VAR in the dying minutes of the match.Victor Osimhen thought he had doubled Nigeria’s 1-0 lead in the last five minutes – but play was brought back.
      SOUTH AFRICA EQUALISE IN THE 90TH MINUTE! 😱Nigeria have a goal disallowed after a VAR check and South Africa are awarded a penalty! pic.twitter.com/IGbjBhNK0s— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 7, 2024

      Teboho Mokoena converted a last-minute penalty to equalise for South AfricaCredit: AP
      South Africa stars celebrate the last-gasp turnaroundCredit: AFP
      Victor Osimhen thought he had sealed the win by doubling Nigeria’s leadCredit: AFP
      VAR reviewed the passage of play and after a lengthy delay decided there had been a foul on a South African player in Nigeria’s box before the Super Eagles broke free.
      Referee Amin Omar eventually blew for a penalty which was converted by Teboho Mokoena in stoppage time.
      That levelled the score and South Africa even had a chance to win it late on but Khuliso Mudau blazed over from a rebound which was easier to score.
      The match went to extra-time but Nigeria were not to be denied a place in the final, as they won the shoot-out 4-2.

      They will now face hosts Ivory Coast in Sunday night’s final after they beat DR Congo 1-0, thanks to Sebastien Haller’s second half goal.
      Osimhen had poked home from close range from a low cross for Nigeria to spark furious protests from South Africa.
      VAR then reviewed an incident involving South Africa star Percy Tau, who just pipped opponent Alhassan Yusuf to the ball before being tripped just inside the box.
      The ref was left with no option but to chalk off Osimhen’s goal before pointing to the spot in a dramatic sequence of events.
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      South Africa were surprise participants in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final having not reached the last four of the competition since 2000.
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      They had goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to thank for progressing from the quarter-final as he saved an astonishing four penalties in the shoot-out win over Cape Verde.
      Fans were amazed by the latest thriller, with one saying: “Afcon moving like Eastenders.”
      William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring for Nigeria from the penalty spotCredit: AFP
      Fans left devastated as ‘breathtaking’ Afcon Goal of the Tournament contender disallowed and say ‘if only…’ More

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      Football chiefs considering shock FIVE new rules at crunch meeting including sin-bins and refs stopping matches mid-game

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      REFS could stop matches for a number of minutes to “calm down” feuding players under a plan to be discussed by football’s Law makers next month.A discussion on trialling official “cooling off periods” after flare-ups is on the formal agenda for the annual general meeting of the International FA Board to be held at Loch Lomond on March 2.
      Players could be sin-binned next seasonCredit: Rex
      Goalkeepers could be hit with a new punishment for time wastingCredit: Getty
      The handball law could also changeCredit: Rex
      The idea is the latest development as The Ifab seeks to improve player behaviour across the world game.
      It comes with members, including FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, expected to give the green light for formal trials of sin-bins for cynical game-stopping fouls from as soon as next season.
      And Law makers are also likely to confirm another trial of punishing time-wasting by goalkeepers by awarding corner kicks.
      The only Law changes on the agenda, which will be part of the game from next season, will see all deliberate defensive hand-ball offences in the penalty box bringing red cards while the ball must overhang or touch the centre of the spot at penalties.
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      But three trials aimed directly at improving behaviour are all on the table, with the prospect of official “cooling off” breaks called by referees if players are out of control a new idea.
      While it is unclear what protocols would be adopted, it is thought all players would be forcibly separated by the match officials.
      Refs would have the discretion to call time on play for as long as required to get tempers back in check.
      The other two trials were endorsed by Ifab – which is composed of the four Home Nations and four votes for Fifa – in November.
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      One will see competitions trialling a system where only a team’s captain can approach the referee during a game.
      The other will see 10 minute sin-bins in operation at senior level for the first time as Ifab seeks to reduce “anti-football behaviour” such as break-stopping, cynical fouls and mouthing off at officials.
      Shocking moment referee is CHASED OFF pitch by pitch invader in Port Vale vs Portsmouth clash
      Bullingham explained in November: “The areas we were looking at were dissent and tactical fouls.
      “There’s a real frustration for fans when they’re watching games when they see a promising counter-attack that’s ruined by that sort of foul.
      “We asked if a yellow card is sufficient punishment for that and don’t believe it is.”
      SunSport revealed in November that extending the scope of VAR to include second yellow cards and even free-kicks and corners was something Ifab would look into.
      This comes after Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina said it was time to investigate the “second stage” of the technology as long as it did not lead to further delays.
      FIVE POSSIBLE NEW RULES

      Sin-bins for cynical game-stopping fouls.
      Time-wasting goalkeepers to have a corner given against them.
      Defenders to get a straight red card for deliberate handballs.
      Only the team captain can confront the referee.
      Matches stopped after flare-ups for “cooling off periods”. More

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      New audio footage appears to show VAR get rules completely wrong with last minute penalty decision in huge clash

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      NEW audio footage appears to show VAR officials get the rules completely wrong leading to a decision that almost certainly cost Barcelona.The Spanish giants were in action against Getafe back in August and hunting for a late winner when they thought they were awarded a penalty.
      This one is 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐥 👀In the 103rd minute, Barcelona think they’ve got a penalty after the referee heads to the screen on the advice of VAR but they’re wrong…#GetafeBarca pic.twitter.com/W1ZUBP5Dly— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 13, 2023

      VAR audio appears to have called into question a huge decision between Barcelona and Getafe in August
      Following an alleged foul on Ronald Araujo, referee Soto Grado went over to the pitchside monitor to review the footage.
      After the review, Grado deemed there to have been a handball offence by Barcelona player Gavi, so controversially ruled a free-kick to Getafe rather than awarding a penalty.
      The teams drew the game 0-0 thanks to the decision which came right at the end of the match.
      However, the audio files of that game have now been published, causing fresh controversy.
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      According to Mundo Deportivo, a voice can be heard at the start of the recording saying: “Caution Gavi”.
      But the report states that the voice is NOT of the referee or VAR referee, Iglesias Villanueva.
      It is not clear whether the voice was from one of the on-field or fourth officials or from the VAR assistant.
      If it is determined that the voice came from an official on the field of play, there would be no issue.
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      On the other hand, if the voice is deemed to have come from VAR then it would represent them overstepping what they are allowed to do.
      Football rule makers Ifab state a VAR review can only be initiated by the on-field referee and can only intervene at certain times.
      Mourinho’s BIGGEST Barcelona bust-ups over the years
      These are:

      1. Goal/no goal
      2. Penalty/no penalty
      3. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution)
      4. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team)

      Barcelona are said to have communicated “great discomfort” towards the news.
      The Catalan club are enduring a nightmare season, currently sit third in the LaLiga table, eight points behind Real Madrid in first.
      So bad have things become that manager Xavi announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. More

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      FA Cup could introduce sin bins from NEXT SEASON and overhaul VAR in one of biggest ever rule changes

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      THE FA Cup could trial sin-bins next season – with VAR also set to change.International rule-makers are likely to approve FA plans for ten-minute banishments.
      Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea visit Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The world’s most famous domestic competition could see major changeCredit: Rex
      Next term is also expected to see referees announce video-replay decisions via microphones – like at the women’s World Cup last summer.
      And a third major initiative should also get the go-ahead – a rugby-style rule where only captains are allowed to approach the referee.
      That’s part of a powerful new push to improve players’ discipline.
      The Times say the proposals could all be cleared at the International FA Board’s annual meeting in Scotland in March.
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      The FA is then tipped to “seriously consider” trialling sin-bins for dissent or cynical fouls in the men’s and women’s FA Cup.
      It follows successful trials of the temporary sending-off in amateur and youth football across England and Wales, albeit just for dissent.
      The change is designed to curb unsporting fouls that rile fans as well as potentially changing the course of matches.
      For example, had the rule been in place three years ago, Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini might have been sin-binned for the infamous way he pulled Bukayo Saka back at a crucial time in the Euro 2020 final.
      Most read in FA CupWHEN WOULD PLAYERS BE SIN-BINNEDTHE sin-bin trials would focus on two areas of rule-breaking.

      The FA want to curb tactical fouls that infuriate supporters.
      These are the sort of clever or crafty actions that for so long were called “professional fouls”.
      At the moment, such fouls might not deny an obvious scoring chance but they could well halt a dangerous attack when a chance appears likely to be created.
      Similarly, these cynical interventions might break the momentum of a team pressing for a vital goal.
      Instead, fearing a possible 10 minutes on the sidelines, players would think twice about tugging an opponent back or cynically tripping a speeding player.
      The other use of temporary dismissals is part of a major push towards improving behaviour towards match officials.
      It would mean only captains could go up to referees to question decisions.
      The FA hope that rule will stop teams swarming around a ref – as well as limiting the flare-ups that can spread quickly when players rush in over a heated incident or controversial decision.

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      At 1-1 and with seconds left of normal time, the outpaced centre-back halted Saka the only way he could.
      Yet Chiellini was only booked and Italy went on to win 3-2 on penalties.
      Kim Kardashian admits ‘I’ll be the most embarrassing soccer mom in world’ as she makes major World Cup 2026 announcement_1
      The 39-year-old even laughed off the controversial moment, happily admitting: “I grabbed him good!”
      And in the 2018 Champions League final Sergio Ramos seriously injured Liverpool’s main man Mo Salah by hauling him down on the half-hour.
      Many believed it was a match-turning moment as Real Madrid turned a goalless first period into a 3-1 victory.
      The international board that will decide if sin-bin trials can go ahead is made up of Fifa, who have four votes, and the four British associations, who have one apiece. More

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      ‘Most bizarre penalty ever seen’ given after defender’s moment of madness as fans left in disbelief

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      THIS is the bizarre moment a footballer gifts his rivals a last-gasp penalty after touching the ball with his hand as he congratulates his keeper on a save.Yann Baldez rushed up to goalie Moises Freitas to pat him on the head after he helped make sure the scoresheet stayed at 2-1 in favour of Maranhao in the dying minutes of their cup match against ABC on Sunday.
      A defender in Brazil gave away the ‘most bizarre penalty ever seen’Credit: X / TubeAlvinegro
      Maranhao’s Yann Baldez slapped the ball after his goalkeeper had claimed itCredit: X / TubeAlvinegro
      But in the emotion of the moment he managed to touch the ball as well as his teammate as he lay on the ground in his own penalty area.
      The ref pointed to the 12-yard spot and ABC’s Chilean striker Javier Parraguez saw his shot saved first time round before equalising with the rebound, seven minutes into second-half stoppage time.
      The extraordinary moment, which was being described by local media today as one of the most bizarre penalties ever, occurred during a Brazilian football competition involving Northeastern region teams called the Copa do Nordeste.
      Serie C side ABC was playing at home at the Frasqueirao Stadium in the city of Natal.
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      Footage of the moment Baldez gave away a penalty appeared to show him patting the ball TWICE as his keeper lay on the ground shielding it after an ABC defender put in a key tackle to stop a Maranhao attack.
      The astonished goalie was filmed looking at his teammate in disbelief as he saw him make contact with the ball before the ref awarded a penalty.
      One social media user, calling the penalty “the most bizarre I’ve ever seen in my life,” said: “The fact the keeper saved the spot kick and the Maranhao striker scored with the rebound made it even more painful.”
      Another claimed: “Half the players don’t know the rules of the sport they practice.”
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      In March last year soccer fans in Argentina were left baffled after witnessing a spot kick dubbed at the time as the “most stupid penalty in football history”.
      Top-flight team Independiente was awarded the bizarre penalty during a clash with Colon.
      Watch hilarious moment player gives away bizarre penalty
      Colon goalkeeper Ignacio Chicco initially placed the ball on the six-yard line before teammate Paulo Goltz motioned he should take it.
      Chicco passed the ball a yard to his right, with Goltz picking it up to place the ball himself.
      The Independiente players started jumping up and down appealing for a penalty, claiming Chicco had taken the kick therefore Goltz had handballed it.
      The referee initially waved away the home side protesters, motioning for players to stop surrounding him.
      But incredibly VAR intervened and eventually opted to give a spot kick which Martin Cauteruccio converted to level the game at 1-1.
      Like Sunday’s cup game in Brazil the match finished 2-2.
      Fans were shocked by the penalty incident in Maranhao’s cup clash with ABCCredit: X / TubeAlvinegro More

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      Fans spot Sean Dyche’s X-rated reaction as Everton are denied penalty for ‘beyond laughable’ handball

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      EVERTON fans left the capital frustrated after failing to pick up more than a point from Craven Cottage.The Toffees played out a 0-0 draw with Fulham in a game that left many Everton fans thinking they should have had a penalty.
      Everton were not awarded a penalty when the ball appeared to strike the hand of Antonee Robinson in the boxCredit: X
      Fans spotted Sean Dyche venting his frustration at the decision with an X-rated reactionCredit: X

      But it wasn’t just the fans that were showing their frustration at the game, but also Everton boss Sean Dyche.
      Fans online think they spotted Dyche giving an X-rated reaction to the moment his side were denied a penalty.
      A scruffy effort from James Tarkowski deflected off Fulham defender Issa Diop and onto the crossbar, but while on its way down the ball appeared to strike the hand of Antonee Robinson.
      The Cottagers full-back was stood on the goal line when the ball struck his hand and it seemed to prevent Everton from getting a much needed goal.
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      After review by the VAR team at Stockley Park, the game was waved on and no penalty was given.
      Everton fans voiced their frustrations online while many also noticed that their gaffer was left enraged by the situation too.
      Eagle-eyed supporters seem to think that Dyche reacted on the sidelines by saying “F*****g hell” and shaking his head in disbelief.
      Fans from the Blue half of Merseyside were also struggling to wrap their heads around how they hadn’t been awarded a penalty.
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      On social media, one wrote: “How is that not a penalty? It is absurd!”
      While a second simply added: “Beyond laughable.”
      A third felt the decision wasn’t funny at all, posting: “I can’t laugh any more. A coin toss would be more consistent.”
      Everton have not been awarded a penalty all season and everyone at the club appears to be growing in frustration at the matter.
      When asked after the match about the penalty appeal, Dyche said: “We can’t get a penalty, you know that.
      “We haven’t had a penalty [this season]. I think we’re a bit lost with the handball thing and VAR generally, even though I’m generally a fan of it.”
      A spot kick would have given Everton a chance to break the deadlock in what was a crucial game for the club.
      Instead neither team managed to find the back of the net despite having a combined 46 shots in the game.
      Everton have now slipped into the relegation zone after Luton Town shocked Brighton in a 4-0 thrashing to leapfrog the Toffees into 17th place.
      Everton have slipped into the relegation zoneCredit: Reuters
      Sean Dyche voiced his frustration as his side not getting any penalties this season after the gameCredit: AP More

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      Major change to Premier League rules for next season with new VAR system approved

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      PREMIER LEAGUE referees may be able to explain VAR decisions to fans next season in a potential major change in protocol.PGMOL chief Howard Webb is keen to improve transparency between referees and fans.
      Referees will be able to explain their VAR calls inside stadiums next seasonCredit: PA
      And the new initiative could help repair damaged trust in top-flight officials.
      Football lawmakers Ifab have given the Prem the green light for refs to communicate their calls to those in the stadium.
      It comes following a successful trial of the new procedure in Mexico and Portugal.
      But the new plans would still need to be approved before being introduced by the Premier League.
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      Like in the Women’s World Cup and Club World Cup, the refs are expected to be mic’d up inside stadiums.
      And after consulting the VAR monitor and agreeing on a decision, they will then declare the basic reasoning over the PA system to the crowd – such as identifying who committed a foul or was offside for example.
      There was some criticism that the explanations at the Women’s World Cup were too basic and only copied what was displayed on the big screens.
      And one nervous official sparked chaos when she declared “no goal” before quickly correcting herself: “No, wait… no offside. Goal!”
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      But if it comes in for the Premier League, Webb will hope the chance for refs to give a brief overview should help reduce confusion and frustration for fans watching the game live in the stadium.
      However, in a blow to fans, it is understood there are no plans yet to make the full step towards rugby’s open dialogue system.

      In rugby, fans watching matches live on television are able to listen in to the conversations between referees, including those on the field and in the TMO room.
      This has proved incredibly popular in understanding decisions as they are made.
      But while football will not be introducing this in 2024-25, there is hope that broadcasters will be able to use the audio footage after games.
      The trial had mixed success at the Women’s World CupCredit: BBC More

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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