Soccer

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker completes full U-turn on VAR

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker completes full U-turn on VAR and reveals he feels ‘guilty’ for advocating the introduction as it is ‘spoiling the game’

  • Gary Lineker initially supported the introduction of more technology in football
  • VAR has been lambasted by the football community after too many mistakes 
  • A character assassination! What it’s like being annihilated and banned THREE times by Fergie – It’s All Kicking Off 

Gary Lineker has completed a full U-turn of his views on VAR and has now revealed he feels ‘guilty’ for supporting something that is now ‘ruining the game.’ 

In recent weeks VAR has faced massive backlash from managers, players and fans after a number of high-profile errors. 

Clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Wolves and many more have all been on the wrong end of decisions. 

PGMOL’s head Howard Webb has been busy writing apology statements to send to clubs after the games but managers like Mikel Arteta and Gary O’Neil have said this is not enough. 

Lineker has reinforced this while on Match of the Day, revealing his frustrations with the amount of mistakes VAR is making.

Gary Lineker blasted VAR on Match of the Day after yet another mistake during Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Ian Wright also joined in with Lineker to say how ‘ridiculous’ the decision-making system was

The ball touched both Kai Havertz and Matty Cash’s hands in the build-up to Havertz’ equaliser that was ruled out for handball

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Speaking with pundits Ian Wright and Jermaine Jenas, Lineker vented genuine anguish after more drama on Saturday involving the Arsenal vs Aston Villa game.

Arsenal fans felt they were wrongly denied a penalty during their 1-0 defeat that denied them going back to the top of the table, as Douglas Luiz brought down Gabriel Jesus in the box.

Kai Havertz was also denied a late equaliser by VAR after it was ruled the ball hit his hand in the build-up, despite also touching the arm of Villa defender Matty Cash. 

Lineker insisted: ‘Why is it that the defenders can accidentally hand ball it but the forwards can’t? Why are we trying to stop goals? 

‘The people who make the laws of the game why are they doing that, its really bizarre

‘I have to say I really don’t like VAR very much anymore, I was one of those that advocated it and I actually feel quite guilty, I was definitely wrong it’s spoiling the game.’ 

Wright agreed, labelling it ‘ridiculous’ and said it was ‘the most ridiculous law in all of law, not just football.’

Protests have also been made recently by Wolves fans after manager Gary O’Neil said his side have lost up to seven points as a result of poor decisions by VAR.

Wolves fans held up signs displaying their anger at VAR after manager Gary O’Neil said this side have lost up to seven points as a result of poor decisions

Many fans from across the Premier League are repeatedly getting sick and tired of poor decisions being made by VAR

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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