GARY NEVILLE has blamed an “optical illusion” for Newcastle’s winner against Arsenal after recreating the controversial goal.VAR controversy.
The Sky Sports pundit conjured a new angle to suggest the ball was IN – seconds before Anthony Gordon sunk the Gunners in Saturday’s Prem clash.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta blasted the officiating as “embarrassing” and a “disgrace” after a TRIPLE check on the goal went against his side.
The video assistant decided that replays offered no clear proof the ball had gone out, nor that Joelinton had fouled Gabriel or was offside.
And most fans seemed to welcome the intervention from Manchester United legend Neville.
The ex-England defender used an overhead camera to show how a ball placed near the line could be in – even when past the line and not touching it.
That’s because the angle from above showed part of the ball could still be sticking out across the line.
Nev stressed he was not trying to confirm if the ball was out on Saturday – and was only commenting on the first of the three stages of the VAR check.
He said: “In real time you do see that gap between the ball and the line.
“We’re not trying to say the ball was in or out.
“We’re trying to say that VAR cannot make a decision to overturn the on-field decision – because it’s really clear there’s ambiguity. It’s an optical illusion. That ball is clearly in.”
Saturday’s VAR had no such overhead angle to look at.
Nev added: “Switch to the other angle – that VAR had to look at on Saturday… and i can understand completely why they couldn’t over-rule the on-field decision based on that point one.”
One viewer responded: “Arsenal fans aren’t gonna like that one.”
Another agreed: “He makes a completely valid point, but Arsenal fans will still find a way to hate.”
But a Gunners’ supporter insisted: “Important thing is Joelinton’s foul and offside. Stop clouding the issues.”
And this verdict backed that up: “If Arsee so wrong why are they going the great lengths to try and convince us? They got it wrong again like so many times this year, Get rid of VAR and go back to the game we love. I can live with human error. Let’s just admit it will always exist.
But a fifth observer focused on Neville’s intensive efforts to make his point.
“Gary, you’ve more work rate on this game than I ever saw you have on the pitch,” he joked.
