The past two seasons have seen the use of VAR in the Premier League, and despite the trumpeting of the new technology, it has been mired in farce and controversy. Of course, it is not being used outside of the top-flight, and most football supporters have been thankful of the fact. However, one incident in Wednesday night’s fixture between Stoke City and Swansea City would make even VAR’s most ardent opponent think twice about its wider usage – the inplay betting from online-betting.jp would have changed dramatically had the outcome been different.
The hosts took an early lead through top scorer Nick Powell, but Connor Roberts equalised for the Swans on twenty minutes. Stoke then went on to enjoy the better of the game but couldn’t take their chances.
But the real drama came right at the end of the game.
At the end of the ninety minutes, five minutes of stoppage time were indicated, which were mostly played out in the Stoke City half. However, the Potters never looked in any real danger until the final thirty seconds when a slick ball put Swansea full-back Kyle Naughton away into the Stoke penalty area on the right, goalside of Potters substitute Jack Clarke.
Clarke turned swiftly and managed to get himself tight to Naughton who went down as he approached the byline. The Swansea players appealed for a penalty, and the referee awarded it despite there being no flag from his assistant. The Swansea players were delighted, the Stoke players appalled, and Potters boss Michael O’Neill – normally the most gentlemanly, cool and calm manager you’ll come across – was apoplectic with rage.
Swansea striker André Ayew dispatched the spot-kick, giving the visitors all three points.
It was perhaps a difficult decision in real time, but having seen replays from numerous angles, it’s clear that VAR would have cleared things up in seconds.
Firstly, there was a foul on Stoke City’s James Chester in the build-up. And to rub salt into the wounds, the referee admitted to Michael O’Neill that he should’ve awarded Stoke a free-kick, meaning that the incident with Naughton would not have happened.
Secondly, the referee was almost thirty yards away from the penalty incident with numerous players in his line of sight. There is no way that he could have made an accurate decision without the support of his assistant who was closer, had a clearer view, yet did not flag. Basically, the referee guessed.
And thirdly, the replays showed that Clarke made no contact with Naughton at all. Indeed, the contact came from Naughton himself who reached out and touched Clarke – to make sure he was there – before throwing himself to the ground.
Naughton is an experienced player, and he drew on that experience to con the referee.
VAR would have captured all of that. The decision would have been a free-kick to Stoke City, and a yellow card for Kyle Naughton for simulation. Stoke keeper Angus Gunn would have cleared the ball long, the referee would then have blown the final whistle, and Stoke would have earned a deserved point.
But VAR is a Premier League player.
