Another weekend of football, another huge VAR controversy. This time in centres around the challenge by Liverpool midfielder Fabinho on young Ireland striker Evan Ferguson.
Pundits have been broadly lambasting the system following the challenge which resulted in Fabinho only being shown a yellow card. Even he seemed surprised as he covered his mouth and shook his head.
Ferguson was later seen leaving Brighton's Amex Stadium on crutches, prompting fears from Ireland fans given the crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against France is on the horizon.
Here's what pundits had to say on VAR,
Chris Sutton in his Daily Mail column:
"The guilt was written all over Fabinho‘s face.
"He knew his studs had sunk into Ferguson’s leg. He knew it was worthy of a red card.
"Yet somehow, even with Neil Swarbrick as VAR, Fabinho remained on the field. The midfielder escaped punishment when every right-minded fan knew he should have been dismissed."
Ally McCoist on Talksport:
"It's dangerous and reckless.
"I don’t actually think he means to hurt him. He completely mistimes it. It’s a red."
Glenn Murray on ITV:
"I can’t understand how the VAR referee Neil Swarbrick can say that isn’t a red. It’s a terrible challenge. You can see from the player’s reaction, he knows it’s a red.
“He’s just waiting to be sent off and, somehow, he remains on the field. That’s just me as a professional footballer, not as an ex-Brighton player."
Ferguson and Ireland fans now face an anxious wait for news as to the severity of the injury. The Bettystown native can however take some enjoyment from the game as a late Kaoru Mitoma winner sealed a 2-1 victory for Brighton to dump the holders out of the FA Cup.
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