Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, made headlines last week when he described a highly controversial moment during his side’s loss to Chelsea. It was Pape Sarr’s disallowed goal that should’ve opened the scoring for Tottenham. This was the moment most discussed amongst fans and analysts after the match. Postecoglou conceded that he erred with his premature goal celebration before VAR had finished its check.
The shocking scene played out during a critical game over the weekend. Tottenham once again fought hard, neck and neck with their London rivals in a dramatic affair at Stamford Bridge. Pape Sarr’s goal was in many minds already being written down as a game-saving equalizer for Spurs. When the goal was ruled out after a VAR check, frustration erupted from players and fans alike.
Postecoglou’s response to the nullified goal was a target of criticism. His celebration — unfiltered, might I add — rubbed a lot of people the wrong way considering there was still a VAR check in progress. To many fans, the celebration seemed tone-deaf to their importance and the key role fans play in the future of baseball. That feeling was only heightened following Tottenham’s catastrophic result.
In his post-match comments, Postecoglou admitted that he was aware of the storm he had just caused with his actions. He added that he had not expected the VAR review to disallow the goal. “In the heat of the moment, I reacted instinctively,” he explained. “Looking back, I realize it may not have been the right thing to do.”
Even the VAR review came under fire. Interestingly enough, even the VAR review itself became a point of controversy. Many fans felt it compounded the disappointment of the loss, as it seemed to overshadow Sarr’s effort and contributed to an already tense atmosphere during the match. Supporters and pundits have been up in arms over the decision to disallow the goal. Players, fans, pundits alike are all asking what makes VAR so opaque on these match-defining moments.
Tottenham supporters were up in arms not just by the disallowed goal but by the entire showing against Chelsea. The loss represented a difficult period for Postecoglou’s side as they seek some solidity in the Premier League after a start full of inconsistency. The manager’s furious reaction, coupled with Sarr’s incorrectly disallowed goal, turned the episode into a huge talking point in the wake of the game.
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