BT Sport host furious with yet another VAR clanger after Leeds United v Newcastle controversy
BT Sport host Darrell Currie blasted Premier League referees over the “pathetic” lack of consistency between penalty shouts in the Leeds United and Newcastle match and the one between Liverpool and Crystal Palace on Sunday.
On Saturday, Newcastle were denied a penalty despite Robin Koch seeming to make clear contact with Allan Saint-Maximin and bringing him down inside the penalty area.
Then, today (Sunday), Liverpool were awarded a controversial late spot-kick even though Diogo Joto kicked the ball past Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guiata before deciding to run into him.
Currie has gone berserk over the lack of consistency being applied by referees and VAR in the Premier League.
“Allan Saint-Maximin doesn’t get a penalty yesterday and yet Jota gets one today,” said Currie via his personal Twitter account on Sunday. “The inconsistencies are staggering.
VAR is ruining games.
“Refs should have some backbone and stick with their on-field decisions even if they’re asked to look at the monitor!
“It’s pathetic.”
Baffling
Honestly, what is the point of VAR?
We were all calling for it before it was introduced in the Premier League because we were sold on a lie that this would remove controversial decisions from the game.
While the purists would say that controversial decisions are part of football, VAR has simply made it worse.
Referees now have several chances to review a big incident – yet they are still getting it wrong time and time again.
Just look at the two incidents this weekend.
We’re Leeds fans and we’re not afraid to admit that Newcastle should have been awarded a penalty.
It was obvious with Koch clearly bringing down Saint-Maximin inside the penalty area at Elland Road.
And then at Selhurst Park on Sunday, that was just laughable and will raise suspicions even more than VAR and referees are favouring the big six clubs with their decisions.
Jota decided to run into the Palace goalkeeper – it’s as simple as that.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are readying last-ditch talks to secure a major signing before deadline day.