Wayne Rooney was left baffled by VAR's decision not to send off Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson for a handball offence outside the penalty area during the FA Cup final vs Manchester City. The former Manchester United hero made a big claim about what he would do with the technology after the high-profile decision.
Pep Guardiola's men were a goal behind at the time of the Henderson handball after Eberechi Eze applied the finishing touches to a flowing Crystal Palace attack down the right flank. The men in sky blue continued to pile the pressure on Oliver Glasner's Eagles after missing several glaring opportunities early on.
Erling Haaland thought he was through on goal after evading the backline, only for Henderson to rush off his goal line and clear the ball with his hand. Replays showed the shot-stopper's hand was outside the penalty area, but Henderson went unpunished after a VAR check.
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Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were both baffled at the decision.
Rooney Fumes at VAR's Lack of Dean Henderson Red Card
'How can they get this wrong?'
Rooney, part of the BBC's coverage of the showpiece event in the English capital, wasn't in the mood to hear any explanation given for the lack of action taken against Henderson. Alongside Glenn Murray and Micah Richards on the punditry panel, he instantly gave Gary Lineker his thoughts on the incident, saying: "It's a red card. 100 per cent, it's a red card. Haaland is about to knock it round him, and as we see, he sweeps the ball away. It's a red card. How can they get this wrong?"
Not content with just pointing out the mistake he felt the officials had made, the striker-turned-pundit went on to say he would rather see the technology scrapped altogether. Rooney continued to fume:
"Just get rid of VAR. They've made a mistake so now they're trying to cover up for their mate out there. It's a red card. Everyone can see it's a red card. To come out with all this rubbish."
He wasn't the only one who felt that way either, as Rooney's comments were met with a wave of support from social media users across the country. Richards, Murray and Lineker were also sure a red card should have been brandished.
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'Speaking for every normal football fan'
Wayne Rooney
Supporters of all different clubs echoed Rooney's sentiments on X (formerly Twitter), with one fan stating: "Like Rooney said, get rid of VAR." Some were even surprised to find themselves in agreement with the Man Utd and England legend: "It’s 2025. I’m agreeing with Wayne Rooney. The sky is falling."
The outburst at the technology in the game resonated with supporters deeply as another fan added: "Wayne Rooney actually saying it how it is and not sitting on the fence in punditry for once," before another claimed Rooney was: "Speaking for every normal football fan."