Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson narrowly avoided a red card during the FA Cup final against Manchester City, with VAR later clarifying why he was not sent off.
The 28-year-old deliberately handled the ball outside his penalty area to prevent Erling Haaland from reaching a long pass, yet VAR chose not to intervene. ..Continue Reading
The decision left Manchester City players and fans stunned, alongside BBC pundits who argued that Henderson had denied a clear goalscoring chance by batting the ball away from Haaland.
Wayne Rooney was particularly outspoken in his frustration, even suggesting that the incident demonstrated why VAR should be abolished.
Speaking on BBC One, Rooney said: “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?”
Ex-City defender Micah Richards said: “It’s a red card, no debate, it was outside. They can talk about whatever ruling they want but…”
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Gary Lineker interjected to provide VAR’s reasoning, explaining: “This is what VAR have said. We’ve been in contact with them and they said, ‘The direction Haaland was going made it a possible, but not an obvious, goalscoring opportunity.’
“I’ve never heard the word obvious used for denying a goalscoring opportunity before. The only one I would say is likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, that’s the only one I think they could probably have argued.
“There’s no doubt Haaland touched it ahead of Henderson, it would have been a soft touch, he would have had a goalscoring opportunity.”
Lineker’s punditry team remained unconvinced by the explanation, with several analysts highlighting that Haaland was chasing the ball away from goal after Henderson’s hand had altered its trajectory.
Rooney then responded: “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.”
Henderson quickly regained his focus after being at risk of being sent off, saving Omar Marmoush’s penalty to ensure that Palace remained ahead after Eberechi Eze’s opener.
