VAR controversy at the North West Derby

DBasia.news –  The North West Derby match in the ninth week of the Premier League between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday night (20/10) Western Indonesian Time, was marked by the controversial decision of the VAR (Video Assistant Referee).

The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Goals from Adam Lallana in the 85th minute equalized after Marcus Rashford scored in the 36th minute. These results stopped Liverpool’s string of successive wins at number eight in the 2019-20 Premier League.

In the match, there were at least two reviews from VAR that determined the final results of the match in a match led by Martin Atkinson. First, in the process of Rashford’s goal and the second when Sadio Mane’s goal was annulled by Atkinson.

If in the second review there wasn’t much attention because Mane did handball first before scoring a goal, then the opposite condition happened for Rashford’s goal.

A few seconds before Rashford’s goal was created, Victor Lindelof was allegedly first violated Divock Origi. But, Atkinson continued the fight until finally, Daniel James gave an assist for Rashford’s goal. Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, was convinced it was a violation.

But, in replays, Lindelof’s contact was very mild to Origi who was seen diving. No doubt Atkinson did not see it as a violation.

“Yes, Manchester United did play better than us and also stayed solid, but then they scored a goal which caused problems in VAR. For me, it was a violation. Obviously, there was contact (by Lindelof) until Origi fell,” Klopp said, reported by the official website of Liverpool.

“VAR seems to be a problem that must be resolved right now. I am not angry, but what I saw in this match was a violation,” he said.

The Head of the British Referee under the auspices of the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) also spoke out about the incident.

“First, the referee on duty in the field (Atkinson) does not see that (Lindelof’s contact with Origi) as a violation and VAR reviewed it or decided it was not clear,” PGMOL told Sky Sports.

“Secondly, VAR does not referee the match – there is contact, but VAR believes it is not enough to cancel the goal,” he continued.