Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest badges and Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno disappointed v Aston Villa. (Credit: MOTD)
Keith Hackett
Sun 15 December 2024 10:00, UK
Keith Hackett has hit out at the PGMOL after Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood had a goal disallowed in his side’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa at the City Ground on Saturday.
Forest had to come from behind to win the all-Midlands Premier League clash but Nuno Espirito Santo’s men had to wait longer than anticipated to equalise after Wood’s 81st-minute goal was ruled out.
Gary Lineker was seemingly baffled by the decision on Match of the Day with VAR’s replays showing that Anthony Elanga was millimetres offside before he assisted the New Zealand striker.
Hackett believes the current laws of the game, coupled with the way VAR actions potential offside situations, has led to perfectly good goals being regularly disallowed.
“I have stated on more than one occasion that such fine margins being determined by the current VAR system is flawed because broadcast cameras are used,” Hackett told Villa News.
“I was involved in the development of Goal Line Technology and for Hawkeye and to give us an accurate decision, we rely on seven cameras around each goal operating at 500 frames per second.
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“*The reason we need to improve and speed up the process and reliability in making these tight offside calls is the very reason why UEFA and FIFA operate the Semi-Automated Offside System. It was promised before the start of this season and it still hasn’t been delivered.*“
The former referee added: “With the current offside law, we will continue to witness toe-nail offside decisions.
“When I was boss of the PGMOL I worked under the previous general manager’s criteria, which was ‘give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team’.
“Sadly that scheme had to be binned after FIFA and IFAB intervention.
“*So whilst this law is in place we will continue to see ‘good’ goals ruled out for offside.*“
VAR controversy in Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa
After Wood’s goal got ruled out for offside, Villa probably felt as though they got away with one, especially with the goal being in the 81st minute.
However, it was a very tight call and the home side will no doubt feel they got some justice when they scored in added time to win the game.
As Hackett says, the way VAR is currently being used is not providing clubs with accurate decisions which is leading to goals being disallowed in a controversial way on too many occasions.
Aston Villa
Furthermore, the lack of benefit of the doubt in the attacking team’s favour has made it harder for strikers who are being watched closely for the slightest hint of being offside.
Although the decision was in Villa’s favour on this occasion, they will no doubt see something similar go against them in the not-too-distant future.
With the current systems in place, it seems as though VAR will continue to be at the centre of the conversation for the time being.
In other Aston Villa news, an exit from Villa Park is on the cards for one player after what has happened this season.
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