The FA Cup final is one of the biggest games in the footballing calendar, and, once again, this game was overshadowed by refereeing decisions.
Indeed, VAR was at the centre of plenty of controversy on the day.
Dean Henderson could’ve been sent off for his handball in the first half, while Manchester City were given a questionable penalty later in the game.
Tyrick Mitchell was adjudged to have fouled Bernardo Silva in the area, but speaking on ITV, Lee Dixon and Ally McCoist saw this incident differently.
According to both pundits, Mitchell actually got a touch on the ball, claiming that this was a mistake by the referee.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Ally McCoist points out another VAR error
McCoist shared his verdict on the decision to award Manchester City a penalty alongside Lee Dixon.
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The two pundits were perplexed by this decision, claiming that the officials really messed up here.
VAR has made multiple errors involving City this season.
“VAR is saying he didn’t get a touch on the ball, but based on what we’ve just seen there. He did get a touch on the ball,” Dixon said.
“He did, I’m telling you, he did get a touch on that ball,” McCoist said.
McCoist and Dixon again discussed the decision after the penalty was saved.
“I totally agree with you, he made contact with the ball,” McCoist said.
“It’s not even our opinion, it’s a fact, you can see it move. They’ve got that wrong or their explanation is wrong,” Dixon said.
Controversial FA Cup final VAR decisions
The FA Cup final is supposed to be English football’s showpiece event, but, time after time, these matches are ruined by VAR calls.
Whether you’re a Manchester City fan or a Crystal Palace fan, it’s fair to say the officiating in this match was poor.
This isn’t the first time this has happened either.
Back in 2023, Manchester United were given a controversial penalty after Jack Grealish was judged to have handled the ball in the box.
Grealish was far from impressed after the game, saying:
“I genuinely don’t know how it is a penalty.”
“I wasn’t even looking at the ball. I missed the ball over my head and then he headed it but I was not even looking. I can understand if I’m looking and I’m trying to block the cross but anyway… Gundo’s saved me!”
Meanwhile, back in 2021, Ben Chilwell had a goal disallowed for an extremely narrow offside, that even replays couldn’t entirely clear up.
VAR is having a notable, negative effect on football, and there’s a real argument to make that there needs to be a big rethink on how this technology is used.