Newcastle United latest news: Sky Sports have revealed footage of Antoine Semenyo’s disallowed goal during the Carabao Cup semi-final at St James’ Park.
After a weekend of FA Cup action which had no technology in any of the 32 matches played, VAR interference was once again the centre of attention on Tuesday night when Antoine Semenyo was denied a second goal of the night by the technology. It took the technology five minutes and thirty seconds to confirm that Erling Haaland was not only standing in an offside position, but that he was also interfering with play and preventing Malick Thiaw from blocking Semenyo’s flicked effort.
Boos from both sets of fans rang around St James’ Park as the check was ongoing at Stockley Park before cheers erupted when Chris Kavanagh announced that the goal would be chalked off. Normally, referees aren’t required to look at the incident on pitchside monitors for goals that are ruled-out for offside.
However, Semenyo’s goal was ruled-out after Kavanagh assessed a ‘subjective offside’ call. That subjectivity centred around whether Haaland was interfering with play or not.
Sky Sports broadcast the game live in the United Kingdom with their commentator, Bill Leslie, relaying exactly what Stuart Attwell on VAR duty was looking at: “Erling Haaland is in contact with the defender. The VAR feels that the position of Haaland has prevented the goalkeeper from getting across to play the ball.”
Co-commentator Chris Sutton added: “I don’t understand that. Haaland is just holding his position, I don’t think he is affecting Pope or Thiaw. Semenyo has put that in two yards away.”
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Whilst Alan Shearer and Bernardo Silva slammed the decision post-match, ultimately, the correct call was made as Haaland was in an offside position and prevented opponents from blocking the ball.
Sky Sports pundits discuss Newcastle United v Man City VAR controversy
Back in the Sky Sports studio, Jamie Redknapp was asked for his view on the incident. The former Liverpool man admitted that VAR had ultimately come to the right decision, stating: “If they had given the goal there wouldn't be one person that looked at this and thought it shouldn't have been allowed. But by the letter of the law, whether we like it or not it is the right decision.”
Dan Burn, who was also a guest in the studio as he continues his recovery from injury, added: “I do think it is the right decision, I just don't like the subjective offside. It's either offside, or it's not. We don't want to see that, but by the letter of the law it should be disallowed.”
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Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, however, slammed VAR’s interference and eventual decision to disallow Semenyo’s strike, describing the technology as ‘anti-goal’: “I understand the process but VAR wasn't brought in for this reason here.
“This is anti-goal which they said they weren't going to do, they said they weren't going to re-referee the game. This for me is re-refereeing the game.
“They are both going at it. It might be right, but I don't think we should be taking away goals for this. Why take five minutes?”
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