Controversy and chaos reigned during Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday. The match was marked by a series of contentious moments, including a WWE-style takedown by Newcastle star Joelinton and a disallowed injury-time winner for Bournemouth due to a handball. Former referee Mark Halsey expressed his disbelief at the decision to rule out Dango Ouattara’s goal, stating that the ball had come off Ouattara’s shoulder rather than his arm. Halsey questioned why VAR intervened in this case, as it did not seem to be a clear and obvious error. He also pointed out that Howard Webb had previously stated that VARs would not get involved unnecessarily.
Joelinton was at the center of another controversial incident when he grabbed Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto around the neck, a move that could have been seen as violent conduct or endangering a player’s safety. However, referee David Coote did not deem it worthy of a red card. Fans on social media were quick to criticize Joelinton’s actions, with many believing he should have been sent off.
Despite these incidents, the game itself was a hard-fought affair. Bournemouth took the lead in the 37th minute through Marcus Tavernier, but Newcastle managed to equalize with just 15 minutes remaining, thanks to Anthony Gordon’s goal. In injury time, Ouattara thought he had secured a dramatic winner for Bournemouth, only for VAR to disallow the goal for handball. The decision was met with frustration and confusion, as the ball appeared to come off Ouattara’s shoulder.
Overall, it was a match filled with controversy and talking points. From Joelinton’s WWE-style move to the disallowed goal, both teams and fans were left scratching their heads. Eddie Howe, Bournemouth’s manager, acknowledged the recklessness of Joelinton’s challenge and stated that he would speak to the player about it. It remains to be seen whether any further action will be taken regarding these incidents.
It is clear that VAR continues to be a contentious issue in football. While its introduction was meant to bring more accuracy and fairness to the game, decisions like the one in this match only serve to fuel the debate about its effectiveness. The subjective nature of handball decisions and the involvement of VAR in such cases raise questions about the consistency and reliability of the system. As the technology evolves, it is crucial for football authorities to address these concerns and ensure that VAR is used correctly and consistently to avoid further controversies.