VAR is at it again
Footballers and fans alike are claiming the game is ‘finished’ after yet another Premier League was marred by a controversial VAR decision.
Arsenal had a goal ruled out after Bukayo Saka’s toe was adjudged to have strayed offside.
The Gunners were drawing 0-0 against Fulham going into the closing stages of the first half, when it looked like they had taken the lead.
On-loan Real Madrid man Dani Ceballos nodded in at the back post after a floated ball in from Hector Bellerin.
NO GOAL! Saka's toe was just offside and VAR intervened. It's the tightest of margins and Fulham survive!
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However, VAR was about to step in, much to the confusion of players and pundits.
On looking back at the replay, co-commentator Alan Smith asked “was Saka offside there? It might well be ruled out, but it was a quality header.”
And ruled out it was.
When the lines were drawn, it appeared as if Saka’s toe was in an offside position. Under the current law, offside must be given if any part of the body a player can legitimately score with is in such a position.
The referee ruled the goal out and it remained 0-0 until Fulham striker Josh Maja gave Scott Parker’s side the lead.
Maja emphatically drove the ball home after Mario Lemina was brought down by Arsenal defender Gabriel.
Arsenal players and staff begrudgingly accepted the decision, but the reaction online was far more furious.
Watford defender Ben Wilmot tweeted: “Football is well and truly finished. Saka’s little toe offside. Come on man have a day off.”
Football is well and truly finished. Saka’s little toe offside. Come on man have a day off
— Ben Wilmot (@BenWilmot6) April 18, 2021
Fans were in agreement, with one social media user stating: “Enough is enough now. Time to get rid.”
Another questioned the margins by which VAR rules on a decision, adding: “If he was wearing one shoe size smaller the goal would have been given.”
As the commentary team pointed out, this isn’t the first time Fulham manager Scott Parker has seen his side involved in a controversial VAR decision.
