The decisions that fall under the approval of VAR, mostly end up as one of the most controversial ones. We are familiar with the huge number of infamous VAR controversies in the English Premier League.
And again a new decision has fallen under the very same criteria when Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United faced Newcastle United. France International Raphaël Varane was back in the starting XI after a brief injury.
But his comeback was followed by a VAR controversy. Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson entered the penalty box with the intention of breaking the deadlock but Raphaël Varane stepped in front of him.
Unfortunately for Raphaël Varane as well as the English striker, the Frenchman didn’t get the ball and appeared to catch Wilson’s knee. Shouts for a Penalty started getting heated from the Magpies, while United Goalkeeper David de Gea went to the referee.
And Referee Craig Pawson said that it wasn’t a Penalty. And according to the most of the footballing world, Newcastle United got robbed of a brilliant set piece.
Jonathan Woodgate said “I’d be surprised if that was a penalty. It was a brilliant recovery from Martinez because he [Wilson] just seemed to get away from Varane. It’s the recovery again from Martinez. He’s started strong and aggressive.”
The redemption of the VAR decision with Manchester United?
And in the second half, a similar thing happened when Jadon Sancho got tackled down in the Penalty box by Sean Longstaff. It was a harsh tackle on the Englishman and this time United was screaming for a Penalty.
While this time, United’s penalty was also denied by Referee. And unfortunately enough, Erik ten Hag’s side played a goalless draw against Newcastle United.
