Pundits agree on VAR decision to rule out Rodri goal for Man City vs FC Copenhagen

Manchester City suffered a frustrating first half in their Champions League clash with Copenhagen, with Rodri denied a superb goal and VAR wading in on more than one occasion.

The Spanish midfielder looked like he had given Pep Guardiola’s side the lead in the 11th minute when he fired home a long-range strike.

Rodri struck a delightful long-range effort early on in the contest but his joy was short-lived after VAR intervened and chalked it off after a handball in the build-up by City teammate Riyad Mahrez.

The decision infuriated City’s onlooking fans and pundits. BT pundits Steve McManaman, who was on commentary duties for BT Sport, was left bemused by the decision.

‘The world’s gone mad!’ he exclaimed as it became clear the goal was not going to stand due to brushing Mahrez’s hand. Stamenic is going for it, misses it, so you can’t blame Mahrez for [the ball] brushing off his hand, surely not.

‘It drives you mad, doesn’t it? It drives you mad. I get it with deliberate handball, but give us a break.’

BT Sport’s studio guests Peter Crouch and Owen Hargreaves were equally scathing when reviewing the disallowed goal at half time.

‘You can see the reactions of the players, nobody is asking for it at all. It’s clearly accidental, that’s the problem with the handball law – he’s been asked to have a look at it and you know he’s going to change (his decision). Rodri has been robbed of a fantastic goal. If that was me, I’d be absolutely fuming,’ Crouch said.

Owen Hargreaves was asked if Mahrez’s hand was in a unnatural position, the former midfielder said: “No. That’s one of the best finishes I’ve seen this season, by Rodri. It’s one of the best strikes I’ve seen all season, deserved a goal – a dreadful decision.”

Fellow former City man Joleon Lescott concurred, saying: “It’s a ridiculous strike, we’ve seen him score some strikes in the Premier League and his first in the Champions League would’ve been special. It was chalked off for handball, which is harsh in my opinion but you can’t take nothing away from the strike.”

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker was also frustrated that Rodri’s goal was not allowed to stand.

‘A stunning goal by Rodri ruled out through the absurdity of the current handball law,’ he wrote on Twitter.

Fans were in agreement with McManaman and co as they slammed the call to rule out Rodri’s strike.

‘I hate VAR. Ruined Rodri’s absolute beauty of a strike. So unfair,’ one fan posted on social media.

‘The most frustrating thing is there is no consistency whatsoever with this new handball rule and VAR.

‘In the space of three days, we have now had: Rodri – goal disallowed. Antonio – goal allowed. Gabriel – no penalty,’ another supporter wrote alongside images of a couple of controversial decisions from last weekend’s Premier League action.

Appalling decision by the ref to disallow such a wonderful goal by Rodri. Ridiculous. The game’s gone mad!’ another fan added.

That was not the end of VAR’s involvement in the first half either, as City were awarded a penalty for another handball, which Mahrez missed, before Sergio Gomez was sent off for a professional foul when he was the last man.