Following a combative Carabao Cup semi-final, Premier League gaffer Pep Guardiola expressed his displeasure. He lambasted a number of VAR calls that went against his side’s favor. The game had a hugely important goal overturned on VAR review. That has led to new discussions about the handiness and fairness of video assistant referee technology within the sport in England.
The game arrived at its most contentious moment when VAR took an astonishing nine minutes to review a goal. In the end, they ruled out the goal scored by Antoine Semenyo. Referee Stuart Attwell and his assistant first believed the incident to be one inside the penalty box. VAR chief Jarred Gillett ruled that Erling Haaland had been fouled and did not have a clear goalscoring chance. This decision has received heavy criticism, as it allowed the majority of fans and players to be confused by what exactly constitutes interference and what offside is.
VAR’s Role in Recent Matches
Guardiola has referenced several examples when he feels that VAR has not done enough to help Manchester City so far. He thought back to an experience during the FA Cup final. Dean Henderson just straight up touched the ball outside his box, and shockingly, no one made him pay for it. Guardiola raised eyebrows when he asked,
“Did you review the FA Cup final last season? When [Dean] Henderson touched the ball outside the box. Did I say anything?” – Pep Guardiola
This deference to inaction has created a situation where the city manager feels that decisions have always been made in the negative against his staff. He pointed out one more important touchpoint from the recent semi-final. Malick Thiaw’s possible handball not looked at by VAR further cementing his belief that VAR isn’t doing what it’s meant to do.
Pep Guardiola’s Concerns
Guardiola’s grievances extend beyond just one match. He pointed to the five and half minutes it took VAR to reach their decision that Semenyo’s goal was offside. The manager went on to stress how vital these sorts of calls are in close-fought contests, saying,
“Ask them. Who is the boss of the referees? Ask him [Howard Webb]. It’s the semi-finals. We play for a lot to reach the finals. It will make us stronger.” – Pep Guardiola
His comments highlight the pressure that teams face during critical knockout stages and how VAR’s inconsistencies can influence outcomes significantly.
Implications for Future Matches
As the controversy surrounding VAR’s usage continues, including discussions on whether the practice itself is flawed, its implementation in next week’s matches becomes suspect. Guardiola’s comments indicate there should be more transparency and accountability in the manner VAR is used. With incidents such as Haaland’s marginal offside position and his physical challenge with Thiaw being scrutinized, many are calling for clearer guidelines on what constitutes interference in play.
As teams approach vital fixtures in domestic competitions, the pressure mounts on referees and VAR officials to make accurate and timely decisions. These choices, made on an immediate basis, can dramatically alter a team’s trajectory in the tournament. It’s now more important than ever for governing bodies to ensure that the technology works as intended and without bias.
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