'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 VAR controversy, again?
In past seasons, we’ve been left complaining and ruing the decisions of referees. Now, we’re pretty much doing the same, but in video form. Video Assistant Refereeing aka VAR has become the buzzword of the season. At the Vitality Stadium, VAR can be blamed for having gotten two major decisions wrong.
Early in the game at the 10-minute mark, Kyle Walker was yellow carded for another challenge on Nathan Ake. Upon replay, it could be seen that Walker stamped on Ake with his studs up. By the law of the game, that should have been a red card. However, VAR didn’t deem it a 'clear and obvious error' by the referee to overturn the decision. City having to play 80 minutes with 10 men could have made for a very different game.
Later, in the second half, it was Man City who was wronged by VAR as David Silva was stamped on by Jefferson Lerna in the penalty box. The referee didn’t deem it a foul though, despite the replays showing a clear foul on David Silva. VAR once again failed to intervene, leaving us all to wonder what a clear and obvious error is.
