FA Cup: Lack of video assistant referee technology felt in fourth round
Football fans have become accustomed to debating the use of technology in games in recent years – but its absence provides a frequent conversation in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
With the help of video assistant referee technology, it was only started in the fifth round of the season, so there are many controversial events for dissection.
Some like Var’s absence, such as Brighton owner Fabian Hurzeler, whose team may not be allowed to play Tariq Lamptey handball against Chelsea winners.
“But that’s it. It’s football,” he told BBC Sport. “With VAR, football is not as excited as it is today.
“Everyone agreed that the atmosphere today was great. You can celebrate a goal because you made sure it was a goal. I’m glad that way.”
Some are not quite sure, including his Chelsea opposition Enzo Maresca – his team may still be in the FA Cup with VAR.
“I think handball is clear. There have been many different moments in different games over the last two or three days, without VAR, and sometimes more complex,” Maresca said.
But he added: “Sometimes, even with VAR, you never know if it’s (will be given) handball. I don’t know. We’ve seen so many handballs this season and VAR isn’t there.”
Even Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admitted that in the first round of Friday, Harry Maguire’s dramatic late-stage title against Leicester City was offside, not Should stand up.
There are several other high-profile events on Saturday’s game, and five games are still to be aired over the next three days.
So, what’s going on with VAR in the FA Cup – Why?
