Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Ange Postecoglou is not holding back about his frustrations with VAR after his team lost to Chelsea. He feels it’s really hurting the game, especially after a controversial call that took away what looked like an equalizer from Pape Matar Sarr. VAR ruled the goal out for a foul on Moises Caicedo. Postecoglou Rips into VAR After Spurs Loss.
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A Shaky VAR Call
With Chelsea up 1-0, Sarr managed to take a shot that seemed to tie things up. But after a long VAR check, officials decided he had fouled Caicedo right before scoring. The wait infuriated Postecoglou, who said if it takes that long to make a decision, it can’t be a clear and obvious error. Postecoglou Rips into VAR After Spurs Loss.
It’s really hurting the game, mate. It’s not what it used to be, he said in his interview after the match. You just don’t know what to expect, and you end up standing around for ages. But it seems like people just love the drama and the controversies.
Postecoglou’s Thoughts on VAR’s Role
Postecoglou thinks this constant VAR use is changing football for the worse. He brought up a controversial moment from the Merseyside derby where Everton’s James Tarkowski avoided a red card for a bad tackle, which was later called a mistake. Postecoglou Rips into VAR After Spurs Loss.
We all saw what happened on TV; I bet if Jared Gillet was in charge of VAR last night, the outcome would have been different, he said. Last night, we saw one replay and thought, ‘Wow!’ But this time, we waited six minutes for a call that was supposed to be straightforward. It’s crazy.
Frustration with the Media
He also called out the media for how they discuss VAR, saying they help contribute to its overuse. He challenged one reporter, asking, What does ‘clear and obvious’ mean to you? If you have to watch something several times, can it really be clear and obvious? Postecoglou Rips into VAR After Spurs Loss.
He even predicted that if this keeps up, we might end up with AI running the games instead of referees. What’s the point of having a referee? It could be all AI soon, and we might as well get rid of the players too. Someone will find a way to have a game of football without anyone actually playing.
Chelsea’s Win and Top-Four Aspirations
VAR was also part of another big moment in the match when a goal by Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo was disallowed after another lengthy review. Despite the drama, Chelsea won and climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as the season winds down.
Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca praised his team’s effort, saying, This win is really important for us. We know it’s crucial to pick up victories at this point, but we always want to do it our way. Tonight, we played well, and we’re pleased.
