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Liverpool flop smashes VAR screen after late penalty overturned

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    The VAR drama hasn’t just been reserved for the Premier League this weekend.

    Shortly after Mikel Arteta was blowing his top at Newcastle’s controversial winner against Arsenal, which survived no less than three VAR checks, it was all kicking off back in his native Spain. There was late controversy as Celta Vigo took on Sevilla in La Liga.

    With the match locked at 1-1, Vigo were awarded a penalty by the on-field referee, only for the decision to be overturned following a VAR check. The call was too much to take for Vigo’s former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas, who took his anger out on the pitchside monitor, angrily shoving it to the floor.

    READ MORE: Technology proves Mikel Arteta has nothing to complain about over Newcastle goal

    READ MORE: Mikel Arteta goes on epic rant over ‘embarrassing’ Newcastle goal after three VAR checks

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    Following the controversy at St James’ and in various other matches this season, many Premier League fans loved Aspas’ reaction and would welcome similar scenes in the English top tier. One said: “How I wish we have players that have the balls to do that in the Prem.”

    A second joked: “There was no VAR monitor to confirm if he broke the VAR monitor. So no punishment. He was playing 4D chess.”

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    Another added: “I can't believe this hasn't been done before!” A fourth commented: “Lovely, we need that here.” A fifth wondered if the incident would count as “Assaulting an official”.

    Aspas, who was on the touchline having been subbed when the penalty was overturned, had an unhappy two-year spell with Liverpool, failing to score a single goal as he found himself behind the likes of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in the pecking order. He returned to Celta in 2015 and remains a key player at the age of 36.

    Arteta didn’t quite resort to hurling the monitor at Newcastle, although he may have been tempted judging by his post-match reaction. He fumed: “You have to talk about how the hell did this goal stand up? Incredible. I feel embarrassed.

    “I have to now come in here and try to defend the club and please ask for help because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed. An absolute disgrace. For many reasons, it’s not a goal. More than one reason, it’s not a goal. And there’s too much at stake here. We put so much effort [in].”

    • La Liga
    • Premier League
    • Liverpool FC
    • Arsenal FC
    • Mikel Arteta

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