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      Lionel Messi’s missed penalty vs PSG SHOULD have been retaken as replays show Verratti ‘nearly on Barcelona star’s back’

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      LIONEL MESSI’S missed penalty should have been retaken as replays show Marco Verratti WAS encroaching.
      Pundit Joe Cole went as far as to suggest the PSG player was ‘nearly on Messi’s back’.

      Replays showed Marco Verratti was clearly inside the D when Lionel Messi took his penaltyCredit: BT Sport

      “How have they not picked up that he’s encroaching there…””If you run the tape on, you see, he actually affects the game!”Joe Cole was in disbelief that Marco Verratti got away with encroachment during Lionel Messi’s vital penalty miss vs. PSG 😳 pic.twitter.com/v7L0K50OLd
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 10, 2021

      The Barcelona superstar, 33, had a glorious chance to put his side 2-1 up at Paris Saint-Germain on the stroke of half-time.
      A goal at that point could have transformed the tie.
      The Spanish giants would have needed just two more goals in the second half in Paris to level the tie at 8-8 and take it to extra-time.
      But the Argentine saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Keylor Navas, who managed to deflect the ball on to the crossbar.

      It then looped back into the middle of the penalty area where Verratti got up unchallenged to head it out for a corner.
      Referee Anthony Taylor was told to wait for the corner to be taken while English officials Stuart Attwell and Paul Tierney reviewed the footage on VAR duty.
      Somehow they concluded there was no problem – despite replays clearly proving the Italian midfielder was well inside the D at the moment Messi took the strike.

      He’s nearly on Messi’s back! He’s so far inside.
      Joe ColeBT Sport pundit

      BT Sport pundits Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves picked up on the blunder.

      Ex-Chelsea man Cole said: “We got back to VAR, I’m at pains to do it, but how have they not picked up that he’s [Verratti] encroaching there?
      “He’s nearly on Messi’s back! He’s so far inside.
      “If you run the tape on, you see, he actually affects the game when he clears it with the header.
      “We want to get so pedantic about rules and laws and technology but the people looking at it can’t see that – I don’t understand where we are.
      “I just can’t understand how you can make such a poor decision – it’s a massive moment.”
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      Keylor Navas was in inspired form as he deflected the strike on to the bar and made a number of other key savesCredit: EPA

      Verratti was able to get up for an unchallenged header and clear the ball out for a cornerCredit: BT Sport

      Kylian Mbappe put PSG in front on the night from the penalty spot after Taylor watched replays of Clement Lenglet’s accidental trip on Mauro Icardi.
      He became the youngest player to score 25 Champions League goals and put his side 5-1 ahead on aggregate.
      Messi equalised with a thunderbolt into the top corner but Barca struggled to break through Navas – in part down to Ousmane Dembele’s poor finishing – as it ended 1-1 on the night.
      The result sent Barcelona crashing out and ensured neither Messi nor Ronaldo – whose Juventus side crashed out to Porto – would be in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2005.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      A second goal just before half-time could have changed the course of the tie in Barcelona’s favourCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Referee conversations with VAR may be heard in Premier League as IFAB open talks over fans listening in for first time

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      FANS could get to hear VAR advice to referees after football’s Lawmakers agreed the idea has merit. 
      Until now, the International FA Board has been staunchly against the concept of ‘live’ broadcasting of the conversations between match officials.

      Fans could soon be able to listen in to referees talking with VAR officialsCredit: Getty

      Fans of the Australian A-League have been able to hear the full exchanges after matches have finished, while Fifa replayed some of the match video at the end of the 2018 World Cup.
      But now Ifab and Fifa have agreed the blanket ban must be looked at again, with Fifa President Gianni Infantino confirming: “This will be further discussed.”
      And FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, who along with representatives of the other three Home Nations helps make up half of the Ifab board, confirmed the new direction of travel. 
      Bullingham said: “Through its technical panel, Ifab will look at whether audio should be released on VAR communications.

      “It is recognised that this has helped other sports and also enhanced the fan experience.
      “We will see how the arguments come out on that and we haven’t gone into details on a timeframe yet.
      “But we are talking about giving the spectators, in the ground or at home, access to the conversations between the referee and the VAR.
      “Most people have seen some of the Australian experiments and it’s similar to what you have in rugby and cricket.”

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      He added: “Anything like that, which gives the fan insight into the decisions being made, is helpful to the fans and the referee, so it’s something that should be explored.
      “Initially it was asked more about in the context of broadcasting the conversations on TV, but if you’re going to do that, why would you not explore ‘Ref Link’ and those type of options?
      “Conceptually, it’s something people thought would be worth exploring and we absolutely could do that.”

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      Accidental handballs that lead to goals will no longer be an offence just day after Fulham denied draw against Tottenham

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      FOOTBALL’S law makers have ruled that the handball rule should change for next season.
      But the decision came a day too late for Fulham.

      Law makers have ruled that the handball rule should change for next season – but it will come a day too late for Fulham

      The Cottagers were denied a vital equaliser against Tottenham on Thursday when Davinson Sanchez’s clearance rebounded off the arm of Mario Lemina before Josh Maja swept home.
      Under the current rules, ref David Coote had to disallow the goal after being alerted to the handball by VAR Jarred Gillett.
      But the annual general meeting of the International FA Board has revealed a change in handball laws for next season that would have seen the goal stand.
      While the ball touching the arm of the scorer will still mean the goal being chalked off, even if the offence is accidental, Ifab agreed: “Accidental handball that leads to a team-mate scoring a goal or having a goal-scoring opportunity will no longer be considered an offence.”

      Ifab conceded that ‘the interpretation of handball incidents has not always been consistent’ since the new laws were introduced.
      As a result, it ruled: “Not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offence. 
      “In terms of the criterion of the hand/arm making a player’s body ‘unnaturally bigger’, it was confirmed that referees should continue to use their judgment in determining the validity of the hand/arm’s position in relation to the player’s movement in that specific situation.”
      Ifab confirmed deliberate handball, when a player moved his hand or arm to the ball was an offence.

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      Fulham saw their equaliser ruled out by VAR for an accidental handball in the build-upCredit: Rex Features

      It also can be an offence if a player ‘has made their body unnaturally bigger’, defined as ‘when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation’. 
      That is how Premier League referees have been operating since October, when Ifab gave them the chance to adopt a less rigid approach than had been in operation at that start of the season.
      In another change, Ifab confirmed that offside must be determined by the ‘bottom of the armpit’.
      Ifab listened to a presentation from former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, now Fifa’s head of global football development, on potential changes to the offside law, including semi-automated ‘robo-ref’ offside lines and low-cost versions of VAR for less wealthy countries.
      The new laws will come into effect from July 1, one month later than in the past.

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      Fulham fury as Maja equaliser against Tottenham is controversially ruled out over Lemina handball

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      FULHAM raged as Josh Maja’s equaliser against Tottenham was controversially ruled out for handball.
      The ball was blasted into Mario Lemina’s arm from close range in the build-up.

      Josh Maja’s equaliser was ruled out for Fulham after the ball struck Mario Lemina’s hand

      Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey told SunSport: “The law is an ass and the bizarre reality at the moment is there’s one handball law for attackers and another for defenders inside the penalty box.”
      Davinson Sanchez attempted to dig a clearance out inside the Spurs penalty box.
      Lemina, standing just a couple of yards away, had his arm inside the shape of his body as the ball caught his gloved hand beside his hip.
      The ball then fell to Maja who stuck it into the bottom corner past Hugo Lloris.

      Fulham thought they had secured a crucial goal that would have earned a massive point in their fight for survival.
      But VAR Jarred Gillett suggested a pitchside review and David Coote duly agreed to rule it out after watching the replay, much to Fulham’s frustration.
      It was a complete accident but the VAR protocol states a goal cannot stand if there has been a handball by the attacking team in the build-up or to score.
      Lemina – who had seen a good effort saved by Lloris moments earlier – could not believe the decision while plenty of Cottagers fans, as well as those of Spurs’ rivals, vented their anger online.

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      𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗔𝗥 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 👀A Fulham equaliser was ruled out for handball in their 1-0 defeat to Spurs – but was it harsh? 🤔
      — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 4, 2021

      Mark Halsey says…

      FULHAM’S second half goal against Tottenham was correctly disallowed for a handball in the build-up by Mario Lemina.
      VAR official Jarred Gillett made the right call as per Law 12: handling the ball to help referee David Coote, who ruled out Josh Maja’s strike.
      The ball accidentally hit attacker Lemina’s arm even though the ball was blasted at him and his arm was in a natural position down by his side.
      The law is an ass and the bizarre reality at the moment is there’s one handball law for attackers and another for defenders inside the penalty box.
      In the example above, if the ball had hit a defender’s arm then a penalty would not have been given.

      And to rub salt into the wound, Jose Mourinho’s men held on for a tight 1-0 win in the London derby thanks to Tosin Adarabioyo’s own goal – a result which leaves Scott Parker’s side three points adrift of safety.
      The incident comes just hours before football law-makers try and clear up the handball controversy tomorrow at Ifab’s AGM.
      Premier League chiefs have already adopted most of the proposals which will mean defensive handballs are not automatically penalised.
      However, unless there is an unexpected change of stance, any handball by the attacking team which leads directly to a goal – as was the case at Craven Cottage – will still see the strike chalked off.
      Ifab members will also hear a presentation from former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, now Fifa’s head of global football development, over his backing for a new ‘daylight’ definition of offside, kick-ins rather than throw-ins in defensive halves and allowing players to take quick free-kicks to themselves.

      The on-loan forward reacted well to turn the ball home into the bottom cornerCredit: Reuters

      Cottagers skipper Joachim Andersen pleads his side’s case with referee David Coote but to no availCredit: AFP

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      Blunder ref Lee Mason avoids Premier League axe this weekend… because he’s injured after West Brom VAR howler

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      BLUNDER ref Lee Mason has avoided the axe for next weekend’s Prem games – because he was already ruled out with an injury.
      But former refs’ chief Keith Hackett said it is time the final whistle was blown on the 49-year-old from Bolton.

      Lee Mason has avoided the axe after getting injured in Brighton’s controversial defeat to West BromCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Mason hobbled away from the Hawthorns with a calf injury after his mess-up saw Lewis Dunk’s quick free-kick annulled, then awarded as a goal, and finally ruled out by the VAR.
      It was the latest in a string of gaffes by Mason, who was still due to be on fourth official duty at Sheffield United’s game with Aston Villa on Wednesday.
      But Mason told PGMOL that he was not fit to take up his duties and will also miss this weekend through the problem.
      Despite that, Hackett insisted Mason has outlived his usefulness.

      He told talkSPORT: “He is on an awful run and on Saturday simply didn’t follow the procedures.
      “I really do think Lee Mason should hang up his whistle.
      “It’s not just Saturday. He was also the VAR on the Mike Dean fiasco when Thomas Soucek of West Ham was wrongly sent off and has made a couple of utter howlers.
      “This wouldn’t happen with a kid on a local park. We’re talking one of our most experienced referees, who is coming towards retirement but it was such a basic mistake and you can’t get away from that.”

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      West Brom boss Sam Allardyce, though, jumped to Mason’s defence. 
      Allardyce felt Mason had wrongly awarded BOTH Brighton’s missed spot-kicks against his side but said: “To say he should be retired is an outrageous suggestion.
      “Referees are under pressure and maybe he should be taken out of the firing line for a bit but to retire him  would be too much.”

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      Farce as referee rules out Brighton goal vs West Brom before overturning decision.. but then VAR rules it out AGAIN

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      REFEREE Lee Mason disallowed Lewis Dunk’s Brighton equaliser against West Brom, after flip flapping on his decision TWICE.
      The confusion began when the Seagulls defender cheekily took a free-kick from 20 yards quickly, catching out Baggies goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

      Lewis Dunk tried to take the free-kick earlyCredit: PA:Press Association

      Referee Lee Mason got himself in a pickleCredit: Reuters

      Dunk, 29, was convinced that Mason had blown the whistle for the kick to be taken, strongly arguing his case with the official.
      Unexpectedly the Brighton’s skipper’s protestations initially appeared to ring true, with Mason deciding to give the goal after all.
      It was then West Brom captain Kyle Bartley’s turn to argue his case, with the Baggies insisting that the set-piece was taken too quickly.
      VAR eventually intervened, instructing Mason not to give the goal.

      And Brighton, 1-0 down from Bartley’s earlier header, were then made to take the free-kick again – with Dunk this time sending it harmlessly into Johnstone’s grasp.
      Graham Potter appeared bemused on the touchline, while even Sam Allardyce had his head in his hands.
      The final judgement was that Mason had blown the whistle twice, once before the kick indicating for play to be stopped.
      And a second time while the ball was in mid-air, meaning the free-kick had to be retaken.

      The referee only served to irritate both sets of playersCredit: PA:Press Association

      Mason tried to explain what had happened to both bemused managersCredit: Getty – Pool

      The incident only served to frustrate both sets of players and coaching staff, as the relegation battlers slugged it out for three crucial points.
      Mason had already awarded Brighton a penalty following a VAR review, after Okay Yokuslu handballed in the box.
      But Pascal Gross wasted the chance to equalise, slapping his spot kick against the crossbar.

      Lewis Dunk takes a quick free-kick and bends the ball into the net but after consulting the VAR, referee Lee Mason has overturned the goal because the whistle had been blown a second time before the ball had crossed the lineWest Brom 1-0 Brighton (37 mins)⁰#WBABHA
      — Premier League (@premierleague) February 27, 2021

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      Leeds striker Patrick Bamford hits out at VAR after having equaliser disallowed by marginal offside in Wolves defeat

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      PATRICK BAMFORD believes Leeds were ‘robbed’ of a point against Wolves after VAR disallowed his equaliser in the second half.
      The 27-year-old thought he had got the Whites back on level terms in the 77th minute at Molineux, only to be judged fractionally offside.

      Leeds striker Patrick Bamford has hit out at VAR after having his equaliser disallowedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Bamford’s knee was adjudged to have been narrowly ahead of Conor Coady’s trailing boot as VAR chalked off what would have been his 13th goal of the season.
      And in another cruel blow for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, Wolves’ winner came after Adama Traore’s shot cannoned off the bar, before bouncing in after hitting goalkeeper Islan Meslier.
      Taking to social media after the game, Bamford vented that his side should have left the Midlands with a point if it wasn’t for VAR.
      He tweeted: “Gutted for the lads tonight, robbed of a point.”

      “But at least it’s ‘mAkInG tHe GaMe BeTtEr’. We go again Tuesday.”
      It’s not the first time this season that Bamford has expressed his anger at VAR after he was astonishingly denied a strike against Crystal Palace in November.
      Yet again his goal would have seen Leeds back on level terms, only for the strike to be disallowed due to his arm being offside.
      Speaking at the time, he said: “I don’t understand the rule. You can’t score with your arm.

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      Gutted for the lads tonight, robbed of a point 🥴 but at least it’s “mAkInG tHe GaMe BeTtEr”🧐 we go again Tuesday #mot
      — Patrick Bamford (@Patrick_Bamford) February 19, 2021

      Bamford thought he had got the Whites back on level terms at Molineux in the 77th minuteCredit: Reuters

      “It doesn’t make sense. It’s happened with me today but I’ve seen it on numerous occasions.
      “It’s ruining football. You want to see goals. To have it ruled out for something like that is daft.
      “Even the referee couldn’t make sense of it. When the players and the officials can’t make sense of it, does it make sense?”

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      Wayne Rooney wants VAR SCRAPPED and claims it sucks joy out of goal celebrations and ruins football for fans

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      WAYNE ROONEY has slammed the VAR system for sucking the joy out of goal celebrations and says it is killing fun in football.
      The Derby boss fears a crucial connection between players and fans will be lost when spectators return to football unless VAR decisions can be sped up because players no longer know if they have scored or not.

      Wayne Rooney now manages Derby in the ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press Association

      One of Rooney’s most iconic goal celebrations came in 2015 – after The Sun on Sunday had revealed exclusive footage of a home video in which the striker was apparently knocked out by Stoke’s Phil Bardsley during a playful bout of sparring in Rooney’s kitchen.
      After scoring against Spurs in his next game Rooney mocked himself by producing a flurry of punches in an impromptu bout of shadow boxing – then pretended to take one on the chin and fell backwards to signify himself hitting the canvas.
      That’s why he says he felt for Leicester City’s James Maddison on Saturday when he scored a brilliant free kick equaliser against Liverpool to set up his side’s 3-1 win – yet didn’t dare celebrate it!
      Rooney, whose Derby side take on Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night, said: “I saw James Maddison after he scored and he stood around and didn’t know whether it was a goal or whether it would be disallowed.

      “I think it’s ridiculous players are waiting around for one minute, two minutes, to see if the goal will stand.  If we knew every decision was right people would accept it better – but the fact they aren’t getting all the decisions right is even more frustrating.
      “We have to allow referees to do their job and accept there will be human error within that. But if that means keeping that emotion and excitement in the game, I’m sure a lot of people would want to see that.
      “A goal is the one time the fans feel connected to their club and their player, when they are celebrating a goal together. Take that away and you lose that connection players have with fans.”
      Rooney had more than 300 career goals to choose his favourite celebration from, during a stellar career in which he became Manchester United and England’s greatest ever goalscorer.

      Wayne Rooney produced his iconic KO celebration against Spurs in 2015Credit: Getty – Contributor

      James Maddison was initially reluctant to celebrate his strike against LiverpoolCredit: Jon Super/ The Guardian
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      He enjoyed Jamie Vardy’s rock n’ roll celebration, using the corner flag as a makeshift electric guitar after scoring against Liverpool at the weekend and revealed: “I didn’t really do that many which I worked on – it was a reaction, it just happened.  
      “Of course there are also some embarrassing celebrations out there but that’s a part of football and it’s great for fans to see.”
      Rams fans have yet to see Rooney doing a knee-slide down the touchline yet in his new role as Derby boss but he was pleased with the elaborate corner kick routine against Middlesbrough at the weekend which led to Lee Gregory’s opener.
      “The plan was to do it 5,6,7 times in training but we did it once and we scored off it, so we didn’t go back and do it again,” said Rooney. “So that’s two from two – Wycombe have seen it now but all the best trying to work it out because it’s difficult to defend.”
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