Exclusive: McAvennie blasts VAR despite it working to West Ham’s advantage v Villa
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has blasted VAR despite it working to West Ham’s advantage in their 2-1 win against Aston Villa on Monday night.
Ollie Watkins thought he scored a stoppage-time equaliser for the Villans at the London Stadium but after VAR assessed the goal for over two minutes, he was ruled to be offside by the slighted of margins.
It was Watkins’ sleeve against Vladimir Coufal’s sleeve but the Villa striker’s arm was marginally ahead of the West Ham right-back’s.
Although we’re over the moon that the goal was ruled offside and three points stayed in East London, the length that VAR is going to in order to assess offsides is ruining the game.
And that is a view shared by McAvennie – even though he was also happy that VAR worked in the Irons’ favour this time.
“I’m not a fan of VAR. I’ve never been a fan of VAR. It’s ruining the game,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“I think people are getting fed up with it – you can’t celebrate a goal.
“I’m delighted it happened, being a West Ham fan, but it’s still not right. It really isn’t right.
“The laws of the game are supposed to benefit the strikers to make the games more interesting.
“Fans are getting fed up of it because every week you’re talking about VAR. Boys on the television are saying ‘his hand’s offside’. Do me a favour. He’s put his hand up but his body is behind [Angelo] Ogbonna. It’s not offside.”
Every club is going to have at least one controversial VAR decision go against them this season and on this occasion, it was Aston Villa’s.
Based on the rules of the game, Watkins was offside. There are no ifs, buts or maybes about it.
The offside rule has been changed to suit VAR but how can an on-field assistant referee be expected to see such fine margins?
Is Premier League football really much better with VAR? Is it really worth all of this?
Every week there’s a big controversy.
And just because West Ham benefitted from it this time doesn’t mean people should stop being anti-VAR.
In other West Ham news, Trevor Sinclair has been blown away by Vladimir Coufal’s impact at the London Stadium.