VAR was once again a controversial talking point, this time in Manchester City’s Champions League crunch match with Leipzig.
Josko Gvardiol’s header equalised from Riyad Mahrez’s first-half finish, but Pep Guardiola’s side should have had a spot-kick given in the dying embers of the game.
As a cross came in following a corner, a header towards goal appeared to hit Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrichs on the hand as the Manchester City players protested, but no penalty was awarded.
Guardiola continued to disagree with the officials on the side of the pitch and at full-time insisted once again that a penalty should have been awarded. The BT Sport pundits were in full agreement with the Spaniard as ex-City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips was adamant that there was an infringement.
Rio Ferdinand then took a jab at his colleague before admitting that he was correct. “Wrighty said it’s handball, it’s got to be a handball. The ex-Man City player. I need a close up. Shaun’s devastated right now… That’s handball you know. He’s trying to push it away. Watch the City players’ reaction.”
“The City players’ reaction there tells you all you need to know. They all react and they all go towards the referee.” Host Jake Humphrey then confirmed that the broadcaster would clarify with UEFA over whether VAR did indeed look at the controversial call, before former Premier League referee Peter Walton said that he has a direct link with UEFA and can see if VAR is being used, but they did not check the decision.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves added: “He played very well in the second half, Henrichs, when he came on, he covered that whole right-hand side, but that looked like it was handball. No wonder Pep was annoyed.”
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— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) February 22, 2023
Reacting to yet another confusing passage in play, caused by VAR, Many Man City fans tweeted:
@MCFChibbs: “How is that not handball.”
@hahaha89710954: “Robbed again.”
@EliteRko: “The Agenda against us is so blatent. Absolutely shocking officiating..”
@a779457: It’s blatant handball but we shouldn’t be relying on stuff like that. Game should have been dead and buried, we pissed about and got the same result.”
@jparkes1991: “Sorry what? The ref just quickly blew the full time whistle and that was that. Absolute joke there. The third absolutely scandalous decision going against us this year..”
@aalexariton: seen so many games have penalties given by var after the final whistle so i can’t understand why this wasn’t given”
@slawoid: “Bruno got a pen after the final whistle for that against Brighton I think during a lockdown game.”
@rewspace: “This is part of the reason I like Bruno Fernades, he won’t let the Ref take a breathe, he must check the VAR.”
@mcfc_king: “Were not united so they arent gonna bring it back”
