Opinion: Anthony Gordon VAR incident was a disgrace on the night, Rewarded instead of being punished

The Anthony Gordon VAR incident during the Manchester United vs. Newcastle United match was nothing short of a disgrace. However, what followed was even more appalling.

In the heated Manchester United 3-2 Newcastle United match, VAR official Jarred Gillett failed to signal a clear foul on Anthony Gordon in the penalty area. Despite TV replays showing Amrabat’s studs raking down Gordon’s Achilles, VAR did not instruct on-field referee Robert Jones to review the incident. This blatant oversight denied Newcastle United a stonewall penalty, causing significant controversy.

The pace of the incident made it understandable that the on-field referee might miss the foul. However, this is precisely the type of situation VAR was designed to address. The TV replays clearly showed a foul, yet VAR did not intervene, leaving fans and players baffled.

What is arguably worse than the missed penalty is the complete lack of explanation from VAR official Jarred Gillett. Newcastle United and their fans are left wondering why the foul on Anthony Gordon was not flagged. This lack of transparency is unacceptable in modern football.

Two scenarios could explain Gillett’s inaction:

None of the VAR officials noticed the foul despite multiple replays.
Gillett saw the foul but deemed it not worthy of a penalty.

Both scenarios are implausible and undermine the credibility of VAR. At the very least, Gillett should publicly explain and justify his decision.

If the roles were reversed and Manchester United had been denied a similar penalty, the media uproar would be unrelenting. There would be immediate calls for justice and accountability from the VAR officials. However, in this case, there has been no punishment for Gillett, despite his significant error potentially costing Newcastle United a place in the Europa League.

Gillett’s Continued Refereeing Role

Adding insult to injury, Gillett continued to officiate significant matches without repercussions. He was seen refereeing a key promotion play-off and was assigned as VAR for Manchester City vs. West Ham, a crucial game in the Premier League title race. This lack of accountability is frustrating for Newcastle fans who feel justice has not been served.

Imagining a Different Outcome

Consider a hypothetical scenario: if Erling Haaland were fouled similarly in a decisive match, it’s almost certain VAR would intervene promptly. This double standard in officiating undermines the integrity of the sport.

Anthony Gordon Speaks Out

Anthony Gordon, reflecting on the incident, expressed his frustration to Sky Sports:
“I have watched the incident back. It is a clear penalty. I don’t mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch because it is a difficult decision. Things happen really quickly. But I don’t understand what the point of VAR is then. It is there to correct mistakes. Amrabat goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back. Casemiro comes and gets the ball but there are two fouls before that. I honestly don’t see the point in it.”

Gordon’s comments highlight the critical issues with VAR. He, like many fans, questions its effectiveness if such clear fouls are missed.

The Need for VAR Reform

Gordon’s frustration is shared by many. VAR was introduced to eliminate errors, but it seems to be failing in its purpose. The lack of consistency and transparency in its application needs urgent reform. Either VAR needs to be significantly improved, or its use reconsidered.

Call for Accountability and Transparency

The Anthony Gordon VAR incident and its aftermath have left a sour taste for Newcastle United and their supporters. The failure to award a clear penalty and the subsequent lack of explanation from VAR officials highlight significant flaws in the system. For the sake of football’s integrity, it is crucial that VAR officials are held accountable, and the system is refined to ensure fairness and transparency in every match.