VAR ‘making mockery’ of rules, says Baggies boss Allardyce

James Holland
Sam Allardyce West Brom

West Brom manager Sam Allardyce says VAR decisions are ‘making a mockery’ of the rules, following his team’s 1-1 draw with Man Utd.

The Baggies gained an important point in their relegation fight against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

Mbaye Diagne put them ahead in just the second minute after beating Victor Lindelof to a header.


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Talisman Bruno Fernandes equalised in the 44th minute with a brilliant left-footed volley.

A big talking point in the match was a penalty for United, which was eventually overturned by VAR.

Semi Ajayi seemed to trip Harry Maguire in the box, causing the referee to point to the spot.

Craig Pawson then checked the decision on the pitch side monitor and decided it was not a foul.

But one thing VAR failed to do was check if Maguire was onside in the buildup.

Speaking to talkSPORT about the situation, Allardyce said: “It’s bizarre. They’re making an absolute mockery of the rules and the laws of the game.

“I was an advocate for VAR, but unfortunately the change of the rules and the introduction of VAR – and this is well before I took the manager’s job at West Brom, this was two-and-a-half years out of football – is making it worse not better.

“So whatever everybody is saying, the confusion is causing chaos and it’s making everything worse.

“It’s hitting the headlines about what the rules are or aren’t, instead of talking about the beautiful game.

“Unfortunately it’s making too big an impression in the wrong way for me. That’s really sad when we have such a great league.”

It’s not the first time VAR has been in the headlines in recent weeks.

During the 0-0 draw between West Ham and Fulham, Tomas Soucek was controversially sent off by referee Mike Dean.

He elbowed Aleksandar Mitrovic in the face accidentally when trying to move his arm. The decision was then overturned by an independent panel.