Controversy Unveiled: Fans Spot Toon Shootout Drama in FA Cup Triumph
In a thrilling FA Cup clash between Newcastle and Blackburn, stunned viewers claim that Blackburn was robbed of victory due to a major controversy. Keen-eyed fans were quick to point out that Newcastle’s hero goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka, was off his line before foiling Dom Hyam’s penalty in the shootout.
The controversy arose when Hyam stepped up to take the decisive penalty. Fans argue that Dubravka’s positioning was unfair, as both of his feet appeared to be in front of the line. This means that the penalty should have been retaken, giving Blackburn another chance to level the score and potentially take the match to sudden death.
Adding to fans’ frustration was the absence of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) for ties played in non-Premier League stadiums. Without video replays to settle the issue, supporters felt that the fairness of the game was compromised. The lack of VAR allowed Dubravka’s offside positioning to go unnoticed and potentially influenced the outcome of the match.
Newcastle managed to scrape through to the quarter-finals with a 4-3 victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time and extra time. The Championship side, Blackburn, put up a strong fight and deservedly held Newcastle to a draw. However, fans believe that the outcome could have been different if VAR had been in place to ensure fair play.
Fans took to social media to express their frustration and disappointment over the controversy. Many argued that if VAR had been involved, the penalty would have been retaken, potentially altering the result of the match. Some even found humor in the situation, jokingly mentioning that it would have been ironic if Newcastle had been denied victory due to Dubravka’s offside positioning.
Despite the controversy, viewers were divided on whether the absence of VAR was a positive thing overall for the match. Some argued that the lack of VAR added to the excitement and non-stop action of the game, with both teams creating numerous chances throughout. However, others believed that VAR would have disallowed the last penalty due to Dubravka’s offside positioning, ensuring a fair outcome.
The match itself was filled with drama, with Anthony Gordon opening the scoring for Newcastle in the 71st minute, only to be canceled out by Sammie Szmodics, leading to extra time and the subsequent shootout. The intensity of the match was further heightened by the controversy surrounding Dubravka’s offside positioning.
In conclusion, the FA Cup clash between Newcastle and Blackburn was marred by controversy as fans spotted an apparent offside positioning by Newcastle’s goalkeeper during the shootout. The absence of VAR in non-Premier League stadiums added to the frustration among supporters, who argued that this unfair advantage influenced the outcome of the match. Despite the controversy, viewers were divided on whether the lack of VAR enhanced the excitement of the game or detracted from its fairness.