Wrong
The providers of VAR, Hawkeye, have issued an apology after widespread ridicule with their efforts to decide if Juan Mata’s goal for Manchester United against Huddersfield was onside – or should be ruled off.
There was a huge amount of debate, and the graphic provided to BT Sport was billed as something a child could draw’ b y many people, and while VAR did prove to be correct according to Hawkeye, the graphic sent to BT Sport was wrong.
“A technical error led to an incorrect graphic being provided by Hawkeye to BT Sport on Saturday,” the statement read.
“To confirm, the VAR saw the correct image with the correct lines to make the decision.
“This was a case of the wrong image being provided to the broadcaster and we apologise.”
Mata and Mourinho
Mata himself was not angry with the decision to rule the goal offside, and explained why he felt VAR would be good for football – yet added it needs to be clearer.
“On the pitch I didn’t know if I was offside or not because I think the line was very tight.
“I did what I had to do which was to score and celebrated. Then after I saw the referee speaking to someone and you look silly when the goal is denied.
“I’m up for VAR and I think it is good for football especially to make important decisions and make it a little bit fairer but it seems like today it was not a very clear decision against us and me.”
Mourinho also made it clear that VAR needs to be perfect, and while he has no issues with the idea of it, if it is going to be used, it has to be far better than it currently is.
While few people would disagree with that, they may have an issue with the United boss claiming he is the best behaved manager in the Premier League, and will be winning that trophy come the end of the season.
He said after the game: “But also (there are) problems and one of the problems is exactly what happened today, which goes a little bit against the words of the protocol.
“The words of the protocol are something like a clear and obvious situation and for sure it was not a clear and obvious situation.
“But we know that it is experimental, and we have to accept. But I am speaking after a 2-0 victory.
“I am close to winning the best-behaved manager in the Premier League, so nothing that can make me lose that trophy this season.”
See also: PSG linked with surprise move for Manchester United defender
How Alexis Sanchez ruined Griezmann’s dreams with Man United move