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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mathew Davies

Brentford boss Thomas Frank demands major play-off change for Swansea City, Barnsley and Bournemouth fixtures

Brentford boss Thomas Frank says VAR should be put in place for the Championship play-offs.

The Bees ran out 1-0 winners over Rotherham on Tuesday night, a result which pushed them into third spot in the league.

With a place in the play-offs already secured, the west Londoners are now preparing for the knockout games, where they could face either Swansea City, Bournemouth or Barnsley.

Brentford beat the Swans in the semi-finals last season but went down to Fulham in the final at Wembley.

Frank believes video technology should be introduced to avoid "killer" mistakes being made in arguably the most lucrative games in world football.

He said : “In the play-off semi-finals and final there needs to be VAR.

“I said it last year but I don't know if it was loud enough or if they didn't listen or they don't want to or can't.

“These key incidents in the penalty boxes, I think it is crucial.

“I truly believe in these big moments in these games, there is too much at stake to get the decisions wrong just by human error, which can happen.

“We have had a wrong penalty given this season and if that was the play-off final it would be a killer.

“It is nothing against the referee, they don't want to take a wrong decision.

“We just need to get it right.”

Frank was incensed last season when Rico Henry saw red at the Liberty Stadium in the sides' first-leg encounter.

The challenge on Connor Roberts just after the hour mark saw referee Keith Stroud give Henry his marching orders.

The decision left Frank baffled. “When you play a game, or two games, where you’re playing for promotion to the Premier League, and you play for £170million, people need to be really, really sure when they make their decisions," he said.

“I don’t understand why there can’t be VAR in these games. I can understand it in the Championship, but I can’t understand it when there’s so much at stake.

“They need to nail it. From my point of view, it was absolutely not a red card. I spoke to a ref outside of this, he said no red card.

“I told that to the ref and the fourth official, of course they have to say differently, but I think that’s just – I can’t swear on telly – a word I can’t say.

“We’re going to appeal this, and I’m absolutely, 100 per cent sure we’ll have a decision where Rico can play on Wednesday, unless someone isn’t doing their job well.”

Brentford did appeal and the decision was overturned.

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