Stan Collymore has lead the way among former players and commentators criticising VAR after a series of controversial incidents in the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham.
The former Liverpool forward labelled the VAR protocol “p*ss poor”, and “a f*cking omnishambles” on Twitter at half-time on Sunday.
The Video Assistant intervened three times in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, once to review a potential red card for a challenge by Raheem Sterling and twice for possible penalties for City.
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Sterling, who was booked by referee Mike Dean, escaped further punishment for a hard challenge that left Alli limping for several minutes.
Serge Aurier was then retroactively adjudged to have fouled Sergio Aguero, almost two minutes after the initial incident, which Dean had waved away, leading to a penalty for City.
Ilkay Gundogan saw a poor spot kick saved by Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal with Sterling going over the ‘keepers arm from the rebound and VAR again checking for a penalty.
A confrontation followed, involving Sterling, who escaped further censure, despite bookings for Toby Alderweireld and Oleksandr Zinchenko for their roles in the incident.
All these factors combined to drive Collymore and others to vent their frustrations on social media.
A 2 minute 50 illustration of how to make a nation's top division a laughing stock thanks to a piss poor thought out protocol.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) February 2, 2020
A fucking omnishambles. Don't know whether to laugh or cry.
pic.twitter.com/GJueAg6M07
Almost a theatre of the absurd at Spurs.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) February 2, 2020
Sterling could have had two red cards in this game, but is still on the pitch. The dive then was typical of so many English players
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) February 2, 2020
It's not football any more. VAR right to go back and inspect Aurier challenge on Aguero but why so long? Clearly an issue with angle of Aurier challenge. Gundogan pen saved. Lloris challenged Sterling for loose ball. Looked a pen. VAR rules no pen. VAR turning atmopsheres toxic.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 2, 2020
VAR is absurd.
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) February 2, 2020
This is absolutely fantastic viewing. A joy to be able to watch Mike Dean is in his pomp once again. The greatest showman on this Earth.
— Daniel Austin (@_Dan_Austin) February 2, 2020
Just seen the sterling challenge! How has a red not been given? Dele lucky to not have a serious injury
— Ryan Mason (@RyanMason) February 2, 2020
ABSOLUTE SCENES!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 2, 2020
Mike Dean pulls the game back for a penalty a few minutes after the challenge by Aurier. Gundogan misses, VAR then checks for another foul on Sterling!
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