VAR NO GOAL
The recent Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United was marred by a controversial penalty decision. The incident occurred during a corner kick when Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur was adjudged to have committed a foul on Newcastle’s Dan Burn. The decision, initially not given by the on-field referee, was overturned after a VAR review, leading to widespread debate among pundits and fans alike.
Thomas Bramall said: “After review, Tottenham number 30 makes a holding offence at the back post and clearly does not look at the ball. My final decision is penalty kick.”
Rio Ferdinand wrote: “Disgraceful decision to reward #NUFC penalty… whoever controlling the VAR should be ashamed + the ref then reviews and should be also. Well done Newcastle.”
Jamie Carragher said: “I do understand he wasn’t looking at the ball, but at the end it was the sheer power of Dan Burn, who is so much bigger and stronger than him… Burn was almost putting him on the floor.”
Micah Richards said: “Not looking at the ball fits the criteria but there is not enough holding there. Burn is just too strong for him – Bentancur holds him for a while, but now Burn is all over Bentancur.”
Jonathan Woodgate said: “Dan Burn climbed all over him. It’s like a heavyweight UFC fighter against a featherweight.”
The decision to award a penalty to Newcastle has sparked significant debate, with many arguing that such grappling is a common occurrence during set-pieces. The VAR review, conducted by Paul Tierney and Paul Hussin, led to the on-field referee, Thomas Bramall, overturning his initial decision after consulting the pitchside monitor. This has raised questions about the consistency of VAR decisions, with pundits like Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher expressing their disapproval of the outcome.
Ferdinand’s strong criticism highlights the ongoing frustration with VAR’s role in the game, particularly when it comes to subjective decisions like holding during set-pieces. Carragher and Richards both acknowledged the physicality involved but questioned whether the level of holding warranted a penalty. Meanwhile, Woodgate’s comparison to a martial arts bout underscores the physical mismatch between the players involved.
The incident adds to the growing list of contentious VAR decisions in the Premier League, emphasizing the need for clearer guidelines and consistency in officiating. As Tottenham continues to navigate their season under new management, such controversies are likely to remain a talking point, impacting both team morale and fan engagement.
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