David Moyes blasts the use of VAR in FA Cup following Bristol City defeat
David Moyes has criticised the use of VAR in the FA Cup after his West Ham side lost 1-0 to Championship side Bristol City on Tuesday 16 January.
Although the technology was in use elsewhere in the tournament on Tuesday, with Wolves versus Brentford affected by VAR decisions, Ashton Gate was without it as the two sides fought out a replay after a 1-1 draw at London Stadium last week.
Moyes has admitted that he finds it “ridiculous” that VAR is only in use at Premier League grounds at this stage in the tournament, which meant West Ham played the Robins once with the technology and once without.
“It’s incredible that they call it the best cup competition in the world but yet, we have one week where we have VAR and the next we don’t,” The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas transcribed to X on Tuesday (16 January).
No saving West Ham
Although there were several controversial moments during the FA Cup tie, it is unlikely that VAR would have saved the Hammers on Tuesday night.
Said Benrahma was, correctly, sent off for kicking out at Joe Williams following a rough tackle from the Bristol City man. There are no excuses for the outcasted winger, who is looking more and more likely to leave the club this month.
However, an altercation between Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Aaron Cresswell saw both players booked, but it was the Bristol City man who seemed to throw a punch in an off-the-ball incident.
Somehow, this was not spotted at the time and play continued until the two players locked horns again, and the referee intervened.
Though Moyes has been criticised heavily for his negative tactics on Tuesday night, the Scot does make a very good point about the unfairness in the use of VAR across the tournament. Either all teams should have access to the technology or none at all.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano backs Hammers to join race for international midfielder this month.
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