Mauricio Pochettino sums up Video Assistant Referee in three words
Mauricio Pochettino blasted Video Assistant Referee as a ‘mess’ after Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
A second-half Dele Alli strike put Spurs in course for their first Premier League victory since January and a first league win on the road since winning at Fulham back in January, but Cenk Tosun levelled deep into stoppage-time after more VAR controversy at Goodison Park.
Firstly, Alli was extremely fortunate to get away with not conceding a penalty after a corner clearly struck his arm whilst in a tussle with Yerry Mina. But after a painfully long wait and a number of different angles were shown, Martin Atkinson opted not to award Everton a spot-kick when replays showed it was the wrong decision.
And then 11 minutes from time, VAR was at it again. Heung Min Son went into a challenge with Andre Gomes and was initially booked, but when the extend of the injury to the Spaniard became apparent, Atkinson hardly brandished a straight red card for Son, who was reduced to tears for his part played in the challenge.
Pochettino spoke to the press post-match and said: “VAR is creating a big big mess.”
It’s hard to disagree.