Spurs fans bemoan lack of VAR as Man City get away with blatant Kyle Walker handball
TOTTENHAM fans bemoaned the lack of VAR as it could have saved Tottenham AGAIN this week when ref Michael Oliver missed Kyle Walker’s blatant handball in the 1-0 loss to Manchester City.
Spurs had advanced to the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of Pep Guardiola’s men after two late VAR checks had gone their way late in Wednesday’s 4-3 thriller at the Etihad.
The ball bounced off Dele Alli’s chest and then seemingly hit Walker’s arm in the 59th minute, but Oliver did not award Tottenham a spot-kick.
Alli protested vehemently, but to no avail as the official explained he did not see the incident.
And Oliver obviously couldn’t count on VAR as the video technology will only be introduced in the Premier League next season.
Spurs had been saved by the video assistant referee just a few days earlier in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against City.
Ref Cuneyt Cakir had to use VAR twice in the last 20 minutes of the game.
He first ruled that Fernando Llorente’s game-winning goal would stand despite the ball appearing to brush his arm on the way.
The official later ended City’s Quadruple hopes after spotting Sergio Aguero was offside when setting Raheem Sterling for his third goal of the night in injury time.
And as Oliver missed Walker’s handball on Saturday, loud “V.A.R” chants roared from the away end at the Etihad to both complain about the unavailability of the technology and taunt City fans.
Spurs supporters also took to Twitter to express their anger.
One wrote: “People knock VAR, but refs like Michael Oliver proves that it’s 100% required.”
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While another added: “So that’s a penalty for City and one for Spurs missed by Oliver. And he’s our best ref.”
Another wrote: “Ref just missed a clear Spurs penalty that may end up costing Liverpool the title. Where’s VAR when you need it?”
And a fourth said: “Blatant handball from Walker. If there’s VAR that’s 100% a penalty.”