The Video Assistant Referee system came in for fresh criticism after Mainz benefited from a bizarre penalty decision which helped seal a controversial 2-0 victory over fellow Freiburg in the Bundesliga.
Freiburg’s players had already disappeared down the tunnel for half-time when referee Guido Winkmann referred a potential penalty to the video assistant referee.
Following a delay of around five minutes, Winkmann recalled the visiting
players to give the spot-kick after ruling that Daniel Brosinski’s cross had
been handled by Marc-Oliver Kempf.
Pablo de Blasis duly converted from 12 yards in the seventh minute of
first-half added time to give Mainz the lead amid total confusion at the Opel
Arena.
“I’m sure that is historic. I’ve never seen anything like it!”
Unprecedented scenes in Germany as VAR awarded a penalty after the half-time whistle had been blown ? pic.twitter.com/WxtEMhaXMJ
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 16, 2018
Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at other major incidents using the technology.
Cameroon 0 Chile 2 , Confederations Cup (June 18, 2017)
Brighton v Crystal Palace, FA Cup (January 8, 2018)
There was no need for the VAR as Brighton see off Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup. pic.twitter.com/SnYSnPzMVG
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) January 8, 2018
This was the first competitive game in England where the VAR technology was made available. The system remained unused but there was a hint of controversy as despite suspicions of handball in Glenn Murray’s late winner for Brighton against his former club, it was not called upon. The striker’s arm was close to making contact with the ball and television replays were inconclusive, but referee Andre Marriner allowed the goal to stand without requesting the use of VAR, meaning Palace were eliminated.
Leicester 2 Fleetwood 0, FA Cup (January 16, 2018)
The moment VAR made history in English football! #bbcfacup pic.twitter.com/UCfoNmSnHK
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 16, 2018
Leicester became the first team in English football to score a goal via a VAR decision as they overcame Fleetwood 2-0 in their FA Cup replay. Kelechi Iheanacho scored in each half but it was his strike 13 minutes from time that required intervention. Referee Jonathan Moss asked to check if the striker was offside before finishing off Riyad Mahrez’s reverse pass. Replays showed Iheanacho was onside when the ball was played and the goal stood to see Leicester progress to a fourth-round tie away at Peterborough.
Chelsea 1 Norwich 1 (Chelsea win 5-3 on penalties), FA Cup (January 17, 2018)
Liverpool 2 West Brom 3, FA Cup (January 27, 2018)
Huddersfield v Manchester United, FA Cup (February 17, 2018)
Your face when you meet Mr. VAR for the first time in your career ?? pic.twitter.com/Iv2ilJkrtH
— Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) February 17, 2018
Juan Mata had a goal disallowed, having been caught narrowly offside, during Manchester United’s 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round victory. Match referee Kevin Friend had awarded a goal until the VAR’s lengthy intervention. There was controversy after those viewing on BT Sport were shown images of Mata’s positioning amid crooked lines that created further confusion surrounding the decision.
Tottenham v Rochdale, FA Cup replay (February 28, 2018)
?️ “We fully deserved it.”
Mauricio has his say on Wednesday’s win over Rochdale.#COYS pic.twitter.com/x07FxFQPhD
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 1, 2018
Erik Lamela thought he had fired Tottenham ahead only for VAR Graham Scott to controversially rule it out due to slight tugs on Harrison McGahey’s shirt by Fernando Llorente. Lucas Moura was then felled by McGahey in the area, with no penalty the eventual – but far from definitive – decision, before Spurs were awarded a spot-kick when Kieran Trippier was held back by Matt Done. VAR again intervened, this time seemingly deciding that because the foul had continued into the area Tottenham should be awarded a penalty. It was only in keeping with the tone of slapstick when Son Heung-min, having paused during his run-up, had his successful penalty disallowed and was booked for his troubles. Tierney double-checked with VAR, naturally, with more time wasted and players and fans becoming more and more bemused.
