VAR is a ‘big mess’, says Guardiola after more rows as City win

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declared the VAR video review system a “big mess” on Sunday after a weekend which saw a series of controversial decisions from the system.

VAR was introduced in the Premier League for the first time this season and there is no sign of the controversies dying down nor of fans warming to the use of the technology.

“Every weekend is a big mess. In other games, it was a big mess. Hopefully next season, it can do better,” said Guardiola after City’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Sunday.

It was one of several games which saw a goal overruled for the most marginal of offside calls, after VAR’s geometrical lines had been used to deliver a time-consuming verdict.

The Yorkshire side looked to have grabbed the lead through Lys Mousett in the 28th minute but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review found the slimmest of margins for offside.

Moments after the incident, both sets of supporters expressed their opposition to VAR in a loud, united chant, while United fans also adopted the ‘It’s not football any more’ anthem that has become a familiar refrain at various games.

United manager Chris Wilder noted Norwich City forward Teemu Pukki had a similar goal ruled out for a fractional offside decision in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday and said there had been “eight or nine” incidents over the weekend.

“There’s no conclusivie evidence, blurred lines and angles. There needs to be a more clear way of defining it,” he said.

Asked about the City fans joining in with the visitors in expressing strong opposition to VAR, Wilder said he was not surprised.

“Up and down the country, all the people at Norwich, a four-letter word about VAR, these are proper football people,” he said.

Asked whether the system needed to be reformed or fully scrapped, Wilder said: “Its not my decision, it has to improve. Yet again, it’s the first question, eight or nine goals knocked off.

“Where there’s so much debate on every goal, it will be analysed yet again. I just don’t think it’s been refined enough to make a difference.”

He was also upset about City’s first goal where referee Chris Kavanagh appeared to obstruct United defenders before Kevin De Bruyne found Sergio Aguero for the opener.

“I’ve been to see the referee and he has been honest about it. We make mistakes and I believe he made one too,” said Wilder.

“We talk about the new rule where if the referee touches the ball then he has to blow up. So surely if he is in the way and hinders us, then he makes a sensible decision.

“If he made the sensible decision then I don’t think anyone in the ground would have said anything about it.”

Meanwhile, Aguero believes the 14-point gap between the defending champions and Premier League leaders Liverpool is “too hard” to overturn and says that City need to now concentrate purely on earning a top-four finish.

“Now, Liverpool is too hard. We have to focus just on winning because we need to play Champions League next season. We have to play the same way and see what happens,” said the Argentine, City’s all-time top scorer.

Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, declined to declare the title race was over but repeated his view that it was pointless to even discuss the issue.

“It’s unrealistic to think about it. When a team has the numbers that Liverpool has, why should we think about it, when we are 14 or 17 behind?” he said.

“(We have to) prepare, play good, better, be as close as possible, play the knockout (cup competitions) and prepare for next season. Next season will be here and, hopefully, we can do better.”

Asked whether it was now tough after two title-winning years to motivate his team for the more modest goal of qualifying for the Champions League, Guardiola said: “The best motivation is to try to play good, win games, that’s the best”.

The Spaniard could not resist taking aim at the Premier League fixture list, which saw his team play at Wolves on Friday before being in action 48 hours later.

City are next in action on New Year’s Day when they host Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton at the Etihad.

“Now, I must say thank you to the Premier League for giving us three days for the next game. We appreciate it,” he said.

Agence France-Presse