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Football London
Football London
Sport
Josh Challies & Paul Clarke

Gary Neville defends VAR in rant during Chelsea's loss to Manchester United

Former Manchester United star Gary Neville has defended the VAR decision to disallow Olivier Giroud's effort for offside in Chelsea's 2-0 defeat this evening.

United led in the first half thanks to Anthony Martial's header before Harry Maguire doubled his side's advantage in the second period.

But Chelsea were frustrated by several decisions which went against them during the contest.

Maguire had a coming together with Michy Batshuayi in the first half which led to United great and pundit Roy Keane claiming he should have been sent off.

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Add Kurt Zouma and Giroud's disallowed goals by VAR in the second half and Chelsea players, staff and fans were not happy by the end of the game.

But Neville has insisted that the Giroud decision was correct as he went on a rant about VAR in the second period.

“We’re surrounded by about 2,000 Chelsea fans, I feel like I’m being personally blamed for that decision. I don’t get the scandal on this one, I really don’t. If he’s offside it’s offside, it’s clear as day," Neville explained during Sky Sports' commentary of the match.

“The most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in the world is that they’re going to introduce a tolerance, offside is offside. The idea that they’re going to have a 10cm tolerance or a 5cm tolerance is absolutely ludicrous.

“If the technology is consistent in it’s application, than we’ve got consistent decisions. I just don’t understand the offside fury, I really don’t, but the other bits I get.

“Where VAR has to improve most is in the fan experience, bringing them on the journey of what’s happening, connection to the microphone of the referee, I just don’t get the offside fury.”

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