The introduction of the VAR system in the Premier League has caused anger, disbelief and prevented some of the games most passionate supporters celebrating goals without the fear it could be disallowed for the smallest of details.
During the 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, Raheem Sterling had a goal ruled out for being millimetres offside but it was Martin Atkinson’s actions in between the ball hitting the back of the net and the VAR ruling it out that have sparked yet another debate.
The referee seemingly instructed his assistant to raise his flag despite having not raised it initially in order to allow the Video Assistant Referee to have the final say and these City supporters aren’t at all happy about it, labelling the incident as an example of corruption.
Corrupt.
— ??en (@ThatchersElbow) November 25, 2019
I think corruption is the word you are looking for, he was told to put his flag up to enable them to say it wasn’t clear and obvious to overturn it
— Andy Sutcliffe (@andysut12) November 25, 2019
That is actually cheating
— GX Blue (@GXBlue) November 25, 2019
Rigged
— Tarondip Rana (@hotshake365) November 25, 2019
Corruption in action #Li-VAR -pool #LiVARpool
— Dr.Hiroshi (@hiroshima911) November 25, 2019
Robbery
— Mohamed Abdulkadir (@mohamedamiin2) November 25, 2019
Incredible
— Eclipse City (@CityEclipse) November 25, 2019
Absolutely shocking …
— Jude johnson (@Jrjohnson119) November 25, 2019
What do we think?
It’s understandable as to why the fans have been incensed by the referee’s actions on this occasion but given the VAR is supposed to check all goals anyway, we are not entirely sure as to why he needed to raise his flag in the first place. The phrase ‘clear and obvious’ is banded around far too often but when it comes to an offside call; you are either on or you are off – there is no grey area whatsoever.