Rio Ferdinand slams ‘disgraceful’ VAR as Man Utd rescued by dodgy call after Bruno Fernandes foul vs West Brom
MANCHESTER UNITED legend called VAR a ‘disgrace’ after it rescued his old side against West Brom.
Bruno Fernandes was perhaps the luckiest player on the pitch as he benefited TWICE from the video technology during the 1-0 win.
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Ref David Coote awarded the Baggies a penalty after adjudging Fernandes had fouled Conor Gallagher but changed his mind after a video ref prompt.
That was despite TV replays appearing to show United’s Portuguese star whacking Gallagher’s shin.
Minutes later Coote awarded United a penalty for handball against Semi Ajayi — even though the Baggies player had his back turned.
Coote’s decision was supported by VAR and Fernandes converted the twice-taken spot kick after video technology intervened again to rule keeper Sam Johnstone had moved off his line first time round when saving.
Ex-United star Rio Ferdinand let rip after the first incident, saying: “It’s a disgraceful decision. The more you look at it, the more it’s a penalty.
“That was so clear. That is not what VAR is for.”
Former ref Peter Walton: “VAR should not have got involved. It’s not a clear and obvious error but VAR has put pressure on the ref in charge by asking him to look at the monitor.
“It’s a shin-on-shin tackle and the referee’s original decision should have stood.
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“VAR is bringing in its own subjective opinions and that is not what it is for.”
Another former United great, Paul Scholes, summed it up perfectly after the final whistle after witnessing both incidents at Old Trafford.
He said: “We are going from one VAR disaster from another week after week.”
And plenty of Twitter agreed: