(Picture credit score: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC by way of Getty Photos, (Picture credit score: Karl Lessine/Getty Photos))
VAR’s choice to cancel Manchester Metropolis’s second-half aim and ship off Dominik Szoboszlai has been extensively criticized, with critics claiming it was killing the enjoyable of the sport.
The controversy erupted within the remaining seconds of Manchester Metropolis’s dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
What occurred: The aim was dominated out for chalk and Dominik Szoboszlai was despatched off.
The incident occurred on the one hundredth minute. With Liverpool chasing an equalizer, goalkeeper Alisson Becker went up for a nook kick, leaving the Reds’ aim fully weak.
Metropolis prevented hazard and substitute Rayan Cherki launched a counter-attack, smashing the ball from the midway line into an empty web.
Because the ball started to roll towards aim, goalscorers Dominik Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland engaged in a frantic footrace to the road. Szoboszlai pulled on Haaland’s shirt in an try and sluggish him down, however the Norwegian striker stepped apart and retaliated.
The ball finally crossed the road and Metropolis regarded set to win 3-1.
Nonetheless, VAR intervened. Referee Craig Pawson was instructed to not permit a strike, as a substitute of enjoying the benefit and permitting a aim.
He introduced the play again for his first foul, introduced Szoboszlai with a straight purple card for blocking an apparent scoring alternative, and elected to take a free kick to erase the aim from the scoreboard.
Pep Guardiola reacts to controversial VAR choice
Manchester Metropolis supervisor Josep Guardiola was troubled by the unconventional strict utility of guidelines.
After the match, he expressed frustration that the pure conclusion of the match was interrupted by know-how.
Josep Guardiola on the match’s dramatic ending (by way of BBC Sport): “Now referee, give the aim and go house!”
Robust response to VAR choice
The choice sparked outrage amongst specialists and followers alike, who felt that the strict utility of the legislation spoiled an excellent second.
Gary Neville stated on Sky Sports activities (by way of BBC Sport): “You reside for video games like this. I am a fan of VAR, however they’ve taken the enjoyable out of it. Followers watch soccer matches for leisure, for moments like that. Discuss in regards to the killjoys. They’ve simply taken away one of many nice moments of the season.”
Followers additionally reacted on SNS
One particular person wrote:
“What a stunning choice by Liverpool on the finish of the sport. It did not deserve a purple card, it simply silenced the aim. Course of, course of spoils the sport.”
One other stated:
“And that is why VAR ruins the sport. It takes away a vibrant second to see if the choice was ‘technically’ appropriate. It is fully pointless and a horrible option to finish an excellent second half of soccer. ”
