Yet another VAR controversy has plagued the A-League after Melbourne City were awarded a decisive penalty in their 3-2 win over the Wellington Phoenix.
With the match hanging in the balance at 2-1 to Melbourne, City forward Denis Genreau made a surging run down the left touchline.
He whipped a cross in that went straight into the body of Phoenix defender Louis Fenton before ricocheting off his arm and going out.
Referee Ben Abraham, officiating his first-ever A-League game, was convinced that it was a handball and awarded City a penalty.
MORE: A-League Review: Western United stun Victory in five-goal thriller as Wanderers hold wasteful Roar
Fenton, convinced it wasn't a penalty, can be seen ushering to his teammates not to worry, confident it would be overturned by VAR.
After a little under two minutes, VAR completed it's check and confirmed that the spot kick was the correct decision.
Fenton and his Phoenix teammates were left fuming, with Fenton heading over to the fourth official on the sideline to protest his innocence.
Craig Noone eventually put away the spot kick and gave City a 3-1 lead.
Melbourne City opens a two-goal advantage after a controversial penalty.
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) November 3, 2019
📺 Watch #MCYvWEL LIVE on Fox Sports 505
📝 And join our blog: https://t.co/Pilul8wZpg #ALeague pic.twitter.com/gR8FGbu5UV
Fans were furious on social media, with the incident highlighting yet another reason why the introduction of VAR has been met with such heavy criticism in the A-League.
I have watched a lot of Australian football in my 40+ years, but that is the lowest point when it comes to refereeing and VAR.
— DrJohnBonacc1 (@karmabusdriver) November 3, 2019
Once again the #VAR is ridiculous at being consistent #MCYvWEL & Fenton just summed it up with his live on air interview 👎 #FranchiseFC buying influence again
— Brendan O'Neill (@Brendanoz) November 3, 2019
Wow looks like another fantastic game of VAR today. This VAR really is the star man in our sport. Gone are the days when the players were the talking points. @ffa & all #ALeague clubs need to bin VAR as soon as possible or there will no fans left. #MCYvWEL
— Arran78 (@victorycelt78) November 3, 2019
I don’t want to slag off on a referee too much but Nix once again had an inexperienced ref (this time his first game) and it stuffed them up big time. VAR should obviously be intervening to correct those mistaken calls, though. #MCYvWEL
— Shabab Hossain (@ShababHossain13) November 3, 2019
The goal would prove crucial, with Phoenix securing a goal in the dying stages to make the final score 3-2.
Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay was livid for the remainder of the match on the sidelines, constantly demonstrating towards the fourth official and looking furious until the final whistle.
The best reaction came from Fenton himself, as he gave one of the all-time post match interviews to Fox Sports' Archie Thompson.
"I thought 100% no pen because it didn't even hit my f**king hand," Fenton said.
"It's f**ked."
Louis Fenton stating how we all feel about #VAR #ALeague #MCYvWEL pic.twitter.com/UDoila9hUP
— Joey Ratcliffe (@JoeyRatcliffe) November 3, 2019
The expletive-laden response drew praise from users online, including Matildas captain Sam Kerr, who admired his honesty in the midst of a refereeing decision that cost them a result.
How good @LouisFenton10 😂
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) November 3, 2019
Just give Louis Fenton the Alex Tobin medal now, he speaks for all of us. #MCYvWEL
— Aristidis Sialepis (@Sialepis69) November 3, 2019
The FFA should not fine Louis Fenton. He doesn't abuse any officials, and we need more players to be open and honest like that after a match #MCYvWEL
— Geoff Koop (@GKoop93) November 3, 2019
The decision overshadowed what was a largely entertaining match, with City's Scott Galloway scoring one of the goals of the season so far.
.@scottgalloway31 with an absolute 💣💣💣 #MCYvWEL #ForeverCity pic.twitter.com/9wnnOXJV2X
— Melbourne City FC 🏙️ (@MelbourneCity) November 3, 2019
Melbourne City now move to the top of the table while the Phoenix remain on the bottom of the ladder, the only team without a point after four rounds.
