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Premier League fans have reacted to the news that Lee Mason has been dropped from VAR duties for this weekend's fixture list.
According to The Mail, Mason has not been selected as a video assistant referee for any games following his decision to advise on-field referee Michael Salisbury to review Newcastle United's goal against Crystal Palace on Saturday (September 3). The goal was disallowed upon video review.
The goal would have been the winner for the Magpies at home to Crystal Palace but Mason advised Salisbury to check the monitor for an alleged foul on the goalkeeper. Despite it appearing that Joe Willock had been pushed into the keeper by Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell, the goal was chalked off following a lengthy VAR review.
Newcastle fans and players were incensed by the decision, which was one of numerous controversial calls by VAR over the Premier League weekend. According to The Times, the PGMOL apologized to the Tyneside club as well as West Ham United for their disallowed goal against Chelsea on the same day.
Here are some of the reactions to Mason being dropped from VAR duties this weekend:
Gary Neville hints at VAR solution following disastrous Premier League weekend
Following numerous controversial incidents over matchday six in the Premier League, anti-VAR sentiment seems to be higher than ever.
Another incident that caused fury among supporters was the decision to disallow Arsenal's opening goal against Manchester United for an innocuous foul on Christian Eriksen in the buildup.
After the full-time whistle, Sky Sports pundit and former Red Devils captain Gary Neville was asked about his solution to poor officiating. The former Manchester United captain stated (as per Football.London):
"Do you know something Martin [Tyler'], me and you were there today, we watched that Eriksen-Odegaard incident back four, five or six times and at half time, we discussed it. There was an angle where I thought that was soft, but then there was another angle where Odegaard's left or right knee goes into the side of Eriksen's leg."
"I think that could be something worth looking at as he never got the ball either. The lads in the studio at half-time didn't seem to make their mind up either, so I don't think it's time for these experts/people who played the game to sit in the VAR studio."
Neville continued:
"The biggest problem is that they are sat remotely in a studio, 250 miles away on their own. They are detached completely from the emotion of the game and they are asked to make a decision."
