There was controversy in the FA Cup final when Dean Henderson escaped a red card despite handling the ball outside of the penalty area when Erling Haaland was baring down on goal
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace saves the ball from Erling Haaland of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Dean Henderson escaped a red card(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
A furious Wayne Rooney told the FA to 'get rid of VAR' after Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson avoided a red card in controversial circumstances during the FA Cup final. Henderson's handball outside of his box wasn't spotted by referee Stuart Attwell and a VAR check took place.
But his fellow officials ultimately judged that Erling Haaland, who was the Manchester City player baring down on goal, was going in a direction which only made it a 'possible' goal-scoring opportunity - not an 'obvious' one. Henderson therefore escaped any form of punishment and played a key role for his side by saving a 13 penalty minutes later.
At the half-time break, with Palace leading 1-0 thanks to Eberechi Eze's opening goal, Manchester United legend Rooney put his loyalties aside and was adamant that Henderson should've been sent off. Meanwhile, Arsenal icon Ian Wright was left baffled by the decision.
"It's 100 per cent red card, how can they get this wrong? Haaland's about to knock it around him. There's no debate, it's outside," Rooney told the BBC.
"Just get rid of VAR. It's rubbish. They have made a mistake and now they are trying to cover up. It is a red card and everyone can see it's a red card. To come out with all this rubbish..."
READ MORE: Alan Shearer slams Erling Haaland for 'big decision' that cost Man City in FA Cup finalREAD MORE: Why VAR didn't show Dean Henderson red card as Man City fans fume at FA Cup final decision
On ITV, Wright declared: "How they can say this isn't a goalscoring opportunity, it's absolutely pathetic. It's crazy, he'll tap that pass and tap it into the goal. It's all rubbish, he'll knock it past him, the rules? To confuse us, that's supposed to be a sending-off."
Ex-City defender Joleon Lescott described it as 'one of the worst decisions he's ever seen in football'. Roy Keane admitted: "We're all confused."
On commentary, a perplexed Ally McCoist remarked: "That is surely a goalscoring opportunity. Get him on the phone. I know what he's saying."
Should Dean Henderson have been shown a red card? Have your say in the comments section.
The big screen displays the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review for a possible red card against Crystal Palace's English goalkeeper #01 Dean Henderson during the English FA Cup final football match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley stadium in London, on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
The FA Cup final saw controversy(Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Back on the BBC's coverage, Alan Shearer said: "There's no doubt that Dean Henderson touches that with his hand. It is clear to me that Erling Haaland is going away from goal."
The decision was analysed even more when Henderson saved a penalty from Omar Marmousch. The England international also pulled off a brilliant save to deny Jeremy Doku, keeping Palace's lead intact.
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