Ange Postecoglou has doubled down on his criticism of VAR and believes the system is diminishing the authority of on-field officials.
The Tottenham boss was speaking after his side’s defeat to Chelsea on Monday night which hosted a scarcely believable scenario of total chaos. Spurs were reduced to nine men with five goals disallowed across the match.
It was a particularly chaotic first half of the encounter in which there were 17 minutes of multiple checks from the VAR system. The outcome of several of the decisions understandably remained contentious but there were frustrations that so many lengthy stoppages and analysis of decisions punctuated the game.
“There is forensic study of every decision and that is the way the game is going – I don’t like it,” Postecoglou reflected after the game on Sky Sports. “I am a lone voice but I keep being told that is the way forward. Look at how much standing around we had to do today, maybe people enjoy that kind of thing but I don’t, I’d rather see us playing football.”
The Australian was then pressed on whether he had any complaints about the red cards for either Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, or his side having a goal ruled out for offside at 1-0 in the first half and when they were trailing 2-1 in the second.
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“I have no complaints, if a referee makes a decision we have to accept it,” he added. “That is how I grew up and I have said it before. This constant erosion of referee’s authority is where the game is going, they won’t have any authority. We will be in control of someone a few miles away watching a TV screen. In 26 years we have had plenty of bad decisions and plenty that have fallen in my favour. Ultimately you have to accept it.”
In his post-match press conference, he added: “Premier League managers should manage their clubs. I have never talked to the referees about the rules of the game. I was taught to grow up and respect officials, but all managers, me included, try to bend the rules to get around them.
Have Your Say! Do you agree with Postecoglou on VAR? Tell us what you think here.
Romero was sent off for Spurs in the first half (PA)“We are not the right people to discuss it. What I want is the best officials to be able to officiate games and it is so difficult for them because their authority has constantly been diminished. Referees used to be like policemen, but that is no longer true.”
Postecoglou’s counterpart Mauricio Pochettino said on VAR. "Today we played 110 minutes, I don't know if it's one in the morning! We were open to the technology. Many coaches wanted VAR but when it's against you, it's a disgrace. The balance is really difficult. We need to improve things. Five goals disallowed to check and then you need to play. It's not easy."
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