Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon has called for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to be abolished after his side 3-2 loss to Manchester United.
VAR was once again at the center stage when both teams met on Wednesday night with Gordon denied a penalty.
The incident happened in the first half when Sofyan Amrabat looked to have brought down Gordon in the box as the Magpies trailed 1-0 to the Red Devils.
Despite Gordon convinced he was brought down, referee Rob Jones did not whistle and was not called to the pitchside monitor to review the incident either.
Speaking after the match, Gordon stated that VAR should be scrapped since it has failed to work when it matters most.
Gordon told Sky Sports: “I’ve watched the incident back, it’s a clear penalty. I don’t mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch because it’s a difficult decision, things happen really quickly, but I don’t understand what the point of VAR is then. It’s there to correct mistakes, he goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back, then Casemiro comes and gets the ball, but it’s two fouls before that.
“I honestly don’t see the point of it. I knew straightaway (it was a foul). That’s why I didn’t appeal, because I don’t mind the referee not giving it because it’s fast, but I’ll wait for the VAR to check. You can see me telling my team-mates, ‘Don’t worry, it’s a penalty, it’s a clear penalty.’ Then we carry on, I’ve got no sock left and I don’t understand the point of it, I really don’t.”
Referee Michael Salisbury checks the VAR monitor for violent conduct committed by Reece James of Chelsea (not pictured) on Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion (not pictured) at American Express Community Stadium on May 15, 2024 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
VAR has come under heavy criticism this season with some clubs skeptical of its usage. Wolves having called for Premier League clubs to vote on scrapping the use of VAR for the 2024-25 season.
Top-flight clubs will now vote on the future of VAR at a meeting next month. In order for the proposal to be approved, 14 teams must vote in favour.
