After Nelson Semedo was sent off following Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2-0 loss to Liverpool on the last day of the Premier League season, Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil condemned VAR.
Semedo’s dismissal in the 28th minute changed the course of the contest, but Liverpool still managed to win all three points courtesy to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah in Jurgen Klopp’s emotional farewell match as Reds manager.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially gave the Wolves defender a yellow card, but the Portuguese later caught Mac Allister with his studs after a late challenge.
After being taken to the pitchside monitor, Kavanagh chose to escalate the challenge to a red card after VAR suggested an on-field review.
O’Neil was incensed by the call that followed the game, as Semedo was now suspended for the beginning of the 2024–2025 season, even though the outcome of the game had no bearing on either team’s standing in the Premier League table.
5’COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE’ VAR CALLS GARY O’NEIL
After the game, O’Neil spoke about the situation and again criticized VAR and the caliber of officiating in the English premier league. The Wolves manager claimed, “The VAR doesn’t even pause it at the right place when he’s watching it back.” Nelson’s foot is halted when it reaches a height that aligns with his shin.
He doesn’t make contact with his shin and instead lands on his foot. “The referee has made it very obvious that it is a yellow card, therefore there is no way that VAR was brought in to get involved in situations like that.
Most football fans would concur that it was a harsh yellow card. I don’t see why VAR needs to get involved if the referee called it a red because I don’t think it would have gone the other way. Although technology is not at fault, it must be used more effectively.
“They need to improve in that area. It’s been an absolutely awful season from an officiating perspective. It’s been awful. When I played, we used to whine about the officials all the time. You would always have a complaint, but you knew it was live and things were going fast.”
Following Virgil van Dijk’s challenge on Matheus Cunha, O’Neil thought Wolves should have been awarded a penalty. He said: “I thought Van Dijk got lucky as Cunha got across him.
Normally side-to-side with contact that isn’t given but I thought he got on the wrong side of him and if you put an arm on him you run a real risk of giving a penalty.” “I felt like we had a great opportunity there. You can be very certain that it won’t be overturned if the referee doesn’t give it. However, after they sent Nelson out, the game was over.”
Following several rulings against the Old Gold this season, Wolves recently suggested that the Premier League eliminate VAR. Clubs will soon vote on whether or not to do away with the system.
Despite the fact that they have also had several stunning decisions go against them this season, Liverpool has apparently demonstrated their support for VAR amid discussions to remove it from the Premier League.
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