‘You saw it on the TV’ – Exclusive: Frank McAvennie slams VAR
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United 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 admitted he’s not a fan of VAR with questionable decisions happening in some of West Ham’s matches this season.
Last month, Aston Villa had a goal chalked off against the Hammers because Ollie Watkins’ arm was slightly more advanced than Vladimir Coufals and in the defeat to Manchester United on December 5, Paul Pogba’s goal stood despite the ball seemingly going out of play in the build-up.
David Moyes hit out at the “poor decision” after the match while video replays on television (as seen below) also showed that Dean Henderson’s clearance crossed the touchline.
VAR didn’t spot it and neither did the assistant referee on that touchline.
But McAvennie claims that if VAR is available, it should be picking up on mistakes like this.
“I’m not a big fan of VAR,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“If it’s not for things like [the Pogba goal], then what is it for? You saw it on the TV and on social media very quickly.”
VAR has been the hot topic in the Premier League since the start of last season.
Many thought that it would end the debate about controversial refereeing decisions in matches but it would be fair to say that the debate has only become more heated.
Referees now have more chance than ever to make the correct decision and time after time, the technology doesn’t seem to be used properly.
At the end of the day, VAR is only as good as the referee using it.
Maybe we demand too much now that the referee’s job has, on paper, been made a lot easier.
Either way, there’s no excuse for it to not be used for Pogba’s goal against the Hammers earlier this month.
Black and white issues like that are surely the easiest to resolve.
In other West Ham news, Said Benrahma could expose this struggling Crystal Palace ace on Wednesday.