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The manager of Tottenham, Ange Postecoglou, expressed his displeasure with the lengthy delay of VAR decisions in the Premier League. During their match against Chelsea, the game was repeatedly interrupted due to controversial incidents.
Chelsea emerged victorious with a score of 4-1 in the match held in north London. Tottenham Hotspur received two red cards, with the first being issued after a review by the video assistant referee resulting in Cristian Romero’s expulsion.
Additionally, there were three goals that were not counted in the game, as well as several reviews for potential serious fouls, resulting in a total of 21 minutes of added time in both halves.
“I am not a fan of it, but it is the direction the game is heading.” Postecoglou stated in an interview with BBC Sport when questioned about the VAR decisions. “Part of the issue is our own doing. If we constantly voice our grievances over every call, then every decision will be scrutinized and we will spend a significant amount of time in each match trying to decipher what is happening.”
“I may not agree with it, but it seems that I am in the minority as I am constantly being reminded that this is the direction we want to take. I have traditional values and will accept the referee’s call, whether it is right or wrong. However, it appears that this is the direction in which the game is evolving.”
During his post-match interview with Sky Sports, the manager of Spurs expressed his displeasure with the increasing trend of scrutinizing every decision made during a game. He also criticized the amount of time wasted by players standing around, stating that he would prefer to see his team focusing on playing football.
Postecoglou also commended his team for their hard work, but acknowledged that the two red cards shifted the momentum in favor of Chelsea.
He expressed disappointment with the outcome, but also pride in the players for giving their all. He sees this as a positive and notes that they came very close to scoring an equalizer multiple times, highlighting their fighting spirit.
The outcome of the game was influenced by the red card. It is important to respect the referee’s ruling, as that is how I was raised.
The constant undermining of the referee’s power is leading to a loss of their authority. The game is headed towards being controlled by someone watching on a TV screen miles away.
“I have made many decisions over the past 26 years, some of which have been unfavorable and others that have worked in my favor. Ultimately, a decision is a decision and there is no changing that.”
Tottenham has suffered their first loss in the top division this season and they are currently one point behind Manchester City, who are leading the league in first place.
Source: independent.co.uk
