Once again, VAR proved a major talking point for Newcastle United this weekend.
While Eddie Howe’s side managed to come from behind to beat Brentford on Saturday, there were a number of controversial calls.
The decision to award the Bees a second penalty after Alexander Isak had collided with Rico Henry was a controversial one, while Callum Wilson also saw a late goal ruled out due to a handball.
Co-owner Jamie Reuben called for reforms to the technology after the game, citing the inconsistency of decisions and the time take it takes to reach them.
Club legend Alan Shearer was vocal about the decisions on Twitter throughout the game and vented even more frustration on Match of the Day.
Alan Shearer sure Eddie Howe will get a call from Howard Webb
Speaking on the BBC programme, Shearer said (via The Chronicle): “It [Isak on Henry] was a terrible decision.
“Once again I’m sure Howard Webb will be ringing Eddie Howe up for the second time in a month to apologise and say ‘We got that one wrong’.
“And I know Howard Webb’s got a tough job and he wants to have a high bar. But for them to re-referee like that, it’s not right. He [Webb] doesn’t want that, I know – he’s told me.”
A weekend full of problems
It was not only at Newcastle where VAR problems reared their ugly heads.
Indeed, Brighton have received an apology from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following the decision not to award Kaoru Mitoma a penalty following a tackle from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg during their loss to Tottenham.
While it’s certainly tiresome to keep going over VAR problems, it’s worth doing.
If Newcastle – or any other team for that matter – miss out on their goals due to a blatantly poor decision even despite the technology brought in to help referees, you have to wonder what the point of it is.
The relegation race is tight. The Champions League battle is fierce. The title is yet to be decided.
VAR problems appear to be getting worse just at the wrong time.
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