EPL: ‘Criminal’ VAR leaving game in a mess – Fulham boss
Fulham manager Scott Parker has lashed out at soccer’s video assistant referee (VAR) and accused Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson of diving to win a penalty in Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at St James’ Park.
Fulham took the lead after defender Tosin Adarabioyo’s header struck the post and the ball ricocheted off Matt Ritchie’s face into the net. But Newcastle were awarded a 64th-minute penalty when Wilson was fouled by Joachim Andersen.
It finishes level at St. James' Park.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 19, 2020
Replays showed that initial contact was outside the penalty area, but referee Graham Scott stuck to his original decision after consulting the pitchside monitor. He sent Anderson off, and Wilson converted the spot kick.
“From what I have just seen, the contact was made outside of the box and then goes into the box and dives,” Parker told Sky Sports on Saturday.
“I don’t know whether [the referee] is looking at the same angles I am. I just don’t understand. The game has changed drastically and not for the better. It’s a bit of a mess.
Steve Bruce on #NEWFUL:
"We'll take the point. We haven't done enough today with and without the ball. Even with ten men we struggled to find any real quality to open up Fulham. We've had a difficult week so we'll take the point and move on but we certainly have to play better." pic.twitter.com/tRFzBHHgpf
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 19, 2020
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“We’ve got every gimmick, every slo-mo and yet we’re still not coming up with the right decision. Sitting here, with everything in place and the way the game’s going, and still not coming to the right decisions, it’s criminal for me.”
Fulham, who are 17th in the table with 10 points from 14 games, next face Southampton on Saturday.