Harry Redknapp believes VAR is “sucking the enjoyment” out of football following more controversy around the system during Newcastle United’s win over Sheffield United.
The Magpies were the beneficiaries of a contentious decision at Bramall Lane as Jonjo Shelvey’s goal was awarded by VAR to secure a 2-0 win for the visitors.
Despite Andy Carroll being flagged offside in the build-up, and the Blades’ defenders coming to a stop, Shelvey continued with his run before placing the ball in the back of the net in anticipation of a review.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder bemoaned the decision to award the goal after the game, saying that VAR was “sucking the life” out of him.
And, speaking to talkSport, Redknapp and Ally McCoist sided with the Blades boss over last night’s controversy.
“The game belongs to the punters, the game belongs to the fans, and at the moment they’re sucking the enjoyment out of it,” Redknapp said.
“You can’t celebrate, every time a goal goes in you’re just sitting there going ‘oh, hang on, what’s going to happen?’
“It’s all right for chairmen to have meetings with the referees and come out and say with a bit of tweaking it’s going to work. The fans want to celebrate a goal, that’s what the game’s about.
“Goal line technology was great, when that came in it was fantastic. Is it over the line or not, simple. The rest of it now has gone crazy.”
McCoist added: “I’ll be the first one to hold my hands up. I’ve got to tell you the truth, I thought it’d be a good thing because I thought, in simple terms, anything that rights a wrong must be a good thing.
“But I’m just totally disillusioned with it, and I don’t like it.
“I don’t know where it’s going, and I feel for the managers. Chris (Wilder) is absolutely spot on.”
