Newcastle United’s 2–0 defeat to Manchester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final was not just about the scoreline. Instead, much of the conversation after the match centred on a controversial VAR decision that left supporters from both sides frustrated and confused.
Sky Sports later released footage and audio from the broadcast that only added fuel to the debate, as it highlighted just how long and complicated the decision-making process had become.
The flashpoint came when Antoine Semenyo thought he had scored his second goal of the night at St James’ Park. The stadium reacted instantly, with City fans celebrating and Newcastle supporters fearing the worst.
However, the celebrations were quickly paused as VAR stepped in. What followed was a lengthy check that lasted more than five minutes, with the referee waiting for confirmation from Stockley Park.
The delay alone was enough to test the patience of everyone inside the ground, especially after a weekend of FA Cup football where VAR was not used at all.
As the check dragged on, confusion spread around the stadium. Fans had little idea what was being reviewed, and the tension grew with every passing second.
When the decision was finally announced and the goal was ruled out, loud boos rang out, quickly followed by cheers from the home supporters who felt they had been given a lifeline. It was one of those moments that summed up modern football, where emotion is put on hold while technology takes over.
The decision itself was not a simple offside call. Normally, goals ruled out for offside do not require the referee to go to the pitchside monitor. This time, though, the issue was described as a “subjective offside.”
The focus was on Erling Haaland, who was standing in an offside position when Semenyo flicked the ball goalwards. The key question was whether Haaland was interfering with play by blocking defenders or affecting the goalkeeper’s ability to react.
Sky Sports’ live coverage gave viewers an insight into what the VAR officials were debating. Commentator Bill Leslie explained that the VAR believed Haaland’s position and contact with a defender prevented the goalkeeper from moving across to challenge for the ball.
This explanation, however, did little to calm the debate. Former striker Chris Sutton, working as a co-commentator, openly questioned the decision. He argued that Haaland was simply holding his ground and that Semenyo’s effort was taken from such close range that the defender and goalkeeper would not have been able to stop it anyway.
After the match, the incident continued to dominate discussion. High-profile figures from both teams shared their opinions, with some calling the decision harsh and others admitting that the laws of the game left little room for a different outcome. Even so, many felt the process was far too long and complicated for something that should be clear-cut.
Back in the Sky Sports studio, the debate took on a more reflective tone. Jamie Redknapp was asked to give his view, and while he admitted the decision would frustrate fans, he accepted that VAR had followed the laws correctly.
He pointed out that if the goal had been allowed, most people would not have complained. However, once the offside law is applied strictly, the officials had little choice but to disallow it.
Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who was also present in the studio as he continues his recovery from injury, shared a similar view. He agreed that the decision was technically correct but made it clear that he disliked the idea of “subjective offside.”
From his perspective, offside should be a simple yes-or-no decision, not something that depends on interpretation. He echoed the feeling of many fans who believe these grey areas are taking away from the flow and enjoyment of the game.
Ultimately, while the decision went Newcastle’s way on the night, it did little to quiet the wider debate around VAR. The long delay, the confusion in the stadium, and the reliance on subjective judgment left many questioning whether the system is truly improving the game.
For Newcastle, the focus will now shift to the second leg and the challenge of overturning the deficit. But for football as a whole, this incident is another reminder that VAR, while designed to bring clarity, often creates just as much controversy as it solves.
