Ange Postecoglou’s recent comments about refereeing decisions have raised eyebrows among fans. After Tottenham’s 4-2 defeat to Brighton, where a penalty was awarded against them after a VAR review, Postecoglou sarcastically remarked on VAR’s role in the match. This is in contrast to his previous statements about accepting referee errors as part of the game. Fans quickly pointed out the inconsistency in his remarks, referencing his earlier comments after the Liverpool match.
The reference to respecting officials came after Tottenham’s defeat against Chelsea in November, where multiple VAR checks led to significant added time. Postecoglou had previously stated that he would never talk to a referee about the rules of the game and emphasized the importance of respecting officials. However, the opportunity to address concerns and demand change was lost due to opposition managers, including Postecoglou, dismissing the controversy surrounding Luis Diaz’s ‘offside’ goal.
Consistency in messaging is crucial when it comes to referees and VAR. Without it, meaningful change is unlikely to occur.