Summary

  1. get involved

    Get Involved: Should VAR be scrapped?published at 11:05 British Summer Time 16 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    The answer lies with the referees. If we get them to explain decisions after the game, and we share VAR discussions, we learn about interpretation and, like the law, we set precedent. That way we can come down to a consensus on interpretation between officials, players, managers, fans, and media. That can be used to benchmark and learn, but we treat decisions like national secrets!

    Nick, Woking

  2. 'Three extremely poor decisions'published at 11:01 British Summer Time 16 May

    Last month, Nottingham Forest said they would "consider their options" after having three penalty decisions not given to them during a defeat at Everton.

    All three incidents involved Everton defender Ashley Young, with Forest not receiving a spot-kick for any of the decisions.

    Forest took to X following the match, publishing a statement in which they accused the VAR official of being a Luton Town fan, calling the decisions "extremely poor" and saying the club would "consider their options."

    Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony TaylorImage source, Getty Images
  3. get involved

    Get Involved: Should VAR be scrapped?published at 10:58 British Summer Time 16 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Dave NFFC: How about getting officials that can use it correctly.....?

  4. 'A significant human error'published at 10:52 British Summer Time 16 May

    Of all of the major controversial VAR incidents in the Premier League came at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Spurs were 2-1 winners over Liverpool last September.

    In the 34th minute, Luis Diaz had scored for the Reds, but the goal was wrongly disallowed for offside, with replays showing that Diaz was being played onside by Cristian Romero.

    Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said his side had been dealt "the most unfair circumstances" with "crazy decisions".

    The club called for the audio from VAR to be released following the incident, adding that "sporting integrity has been undermined".

    Referees' body PGMOL admitted the decision to disallow the goal "a significant human error".

    Jurgen KloppImage source, Getty Images
  5. get involved

    Get Involved: Should VAR be scrapped?published at 10:48 British Summer Time 16 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Var should be scaled down to just offsides and serious foul play. Rest of the decisions are opinions of the referee, so let the onfield referee, referee the game.

    Paul

  6. Man Utd want to keep Fernandes - Ten Hagpublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 16 May

    Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport at Old Trafford

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the club want to keep skipper Bruno Fernandes after the Portugal midfielder stated his desire to remain at Old Trafford.

    United are known to be willing to listen to offers for all their first-team stars, with the exception of youngsters Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund as they look to raise funds for a squad rebuilding exercise.

    Fernandes is on that list and has been linked with moves to Inter Milan and Bayern Munich in recent days, although it is felt it would take a sizeable offer to persuade United to part with their talisman.

    And following the win over Newcastle yesterday, in which Fernandes won man of the match, Ten Hag said: “Absolutely the club wants to keep Bruno.

    “Everything I know from him, he loves Manchester United, the fans of Manchester United and to play for Manchester United.”

    Erik ten Hag and Bruno FernandesImage source, Getty Images
  7. Man Utd wanted to 'pay fans back' with win - Ten Hagpublished at 10:42 British Summer Time 16 May

    Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle

    Manchester United

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said his team wanted to "pay back" the fans, who have stuck by the players this season.

    Media caption,

    Man Utd wanted to 'pay fans back' with win - Ten Hag

  8. A performance to boost Man Utd, at last!published at 10:39 British Summer Time 16 May

    Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle

    Sky Sports

    Anything other than a win against Newcastle for Erik ten Hag's Manchester United would have condemned them to their lowest league finish in 34 years.

    But a hard-fought win last night means United have the chance to finish in the top seven and clinch European qualification - they must better Newcastle's result on the final day - while they also have the FA Cup final to look forward to.

    "We are in a transition at this club and the results are not what we expect," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "We also have our reasons, but it's still a disappointing season.

    "I am very pleased [with the performance ]. In the past months we had many games where we were in winning positions but we couldn't get over the line."

  9. Another good night for Man Utd's youngsterspublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 16 May

    Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle

    Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo scores against NewcastleImage source, EPA

    All three of Manchester United's scorers last night - Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund - were aged 21 or under.

    The goal from Mainoo - aged 19 - was the 10th strike to have been scored by a teenager for Manchester United in the Premier League this season (Alejandro Garnacho has seven, Mainoo the other three).

    It makes this just the third campaign in which this has occurred for the Red Devils in the competition, along with 2004-05 (15) and 2019-20 (11).

    At 21 years and 309 days, Diallo was the youngest African player to both score and assist a goal in a Premier League match since Kelechi Iheanacho for Leicester against West Brom in March 2018.

  10. Poor defending cost Magpies - Howepublished at 10:30 British Summer Time 16 May

    Man Utd 3-2 Newcastle

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was pleased with his team's attack in last night's game away to Manchester United, but says poor defending cost the Magpies a point at Old Trafford.

    Media caption,

    Poor defending cost Newcastle the game - Howe

  11. Has VAR improved the number of correct decisions?published at 10:27 British Summer Time 16 May

    Although there has been plenty of criticism for VAR and how it has been used in the Premier League, there has been an improvement in the number of decisions it has helped to get correct.

    The Premier League’s figures show the number of correct decisions in matches has increased from 82% before VAR was introduced to 96% currently. With semi-automated offside technology due to be introduced early next season, it is felt that figure will increase even further.

    However, while a significant increase of decisions will please some, does it make up for the criticism it has faced regularly by players and managers, as well as delays in matches and leaving fans uncertain as to whether or not they can celebrate big moments when they happen?

  12. get involved

    Get Involved: Should VAR be scrapped?published at 10:24 British Summer Time 16 May

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    Robin Mawman: 2 main issues are the number of stoppages and the arbitrary clear and obvious requirement. A challenge system would remove both. Keep goal line tech and auto offsides but everything else must be challenged without the clear and obvious stuff, it then just is or isn’t.

  13. The referee, I didn't like him today - De Zerbipublished at 10:21 British Summer Time 16 May

    Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Media caption,

    Brighton 1-2 Chelsea: 'The referee, I didn't like him today' - Roberto de Zerbi

  14. Seagulls' awful run continuespublished at 10:18 British Summer Time 16 May

    Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

    Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi speaks to his playersImage source, Reuters

    While Chelsea have ended this campaign strongly to push for Europe from mid-table, Brighton's season has gone in the opposite direction.

    Last night Brighton fell to a seventh defeat in nine matches, a run in which they have also picked up just one win.

    They are 10th in the Premier League and could fall as low as 13th after Sunday's final game.

    Since the start of March, Brighton have only won three times.

    And only the Premier League's bottom four sides – Sheffield United (seven), Luton (11), Nottingham Forest (13) and Burnley (13) – have collected fewer points in 2024 than Brighton (18).

    The Seagulls end their season at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

  15. get involved

    Get Involved: Should VAR be scrapped?published at 10:15 British Summer Time 16 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    As football is, or at least should be, for the fans, why doesn't each club set up a vote system quickly for the fans. Those votes then count towards the way in which each club votes at the meeting. Voting for or against us then made reflective of the main shareholders in football, the fans.

    Phil

  16. 'The problem is not VAR, the problem's the level of the referees'published at 10:09 British Summer Time 16 May

    Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi to Sky Sports: "I think we played a very good second half and the second part of the first half as well. We know the qualities of Chelsea.

    "I think we gave our best and we have another game to reach the top 10 position.

    "It has been a very tough season and the fans have understood everything.

    "We have competed in a good way but have lost too many points at home, especially in the first part of the season and we have paid for that.

    "I think it was a clear penalty today. But the problem is not VAR, the problem is the level of the referees. Today I did not like the performance of the referee. But I make more mistakes than the referee.

    "I am happy for this season but I am sorry because I am disappointed and wished we would compete in a different way. Next season we can be a stronger squad and team."

    Brighton manager Roberto de ZerbiImage source, Getty Images
  17. Pochettino 'proud' after Chelsea winpublished at 10:05 British Summer Time 16 May

    Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to Sky Sports following their 2-1 win at Brighton last night: "It's always very competitive, the Premier League is the toughest league in the world. Full credit to the players, we fully deserved the victory, that's why I'm so happy and it allows us to dream to play in Europe next season.

    "We need to think about recovery and keep the mentality of going to win and see what happens. The most important thing is belief and performances and the performances and results are really good.

    "We dominated from the beginning against a team that's not easy to play, that's why we're so proud and so happy. The evolution of the team is there."

    On the future of VAR: "Next season we have to see if we can improve how we use VAR. For me it's not in or out, it's about improving how we use it. It can be amazing to have it in the right way and VAR can be a fantastic tool to help the referees and us."

    Media caption,

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino

  18. Nkunku celebrates in stylepublished at 09:58 British Summer Time 16 May

    Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

    Christopher Nkunku has had to be patient during his first season at Chelsea given he's spent most of it recovering from injury.

    But after scoring just his third league goal for the club at Brighton, the France forward celebrated in style - by blowing up a blue balloon.

    Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring against Brighton by blowing up a balloonImage source, Reuters
  19. Chelsea's impressive run continuespublished at 09:54 British Summer Time 16 May

    Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

    It has been a chaotic campaign at times for Chelsea - but they are finishing it strongly.

    The Blues have now won four successive Premier League games, the first time they have done this since October 2022. It is also as many wins as in their previous 12 matches in the competition.

    Chelsea are sixth, and a point on the final day will guarantee European football next season.

    Indeed, with a three-point gap to Tottenham, Chelsea could end the season as high as fifth if results fall their way on Sunday.

    It would mark an incredible turnaround. Mauricio Pochettino's side have recovered from a poor start to the campaign and were in 12th place as recently as 3 April.

    Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring against BrightonImage source, Reuters
  20. get involved

    Get Involved: Should VAR be scrapped?published at 09:46 British Summer Time 16 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    With the whole debate surrounding the future of VAR in the Premier League and next month's vote, we want to hear your thoughts on whether VAR should be scrapped next season?

    We've already heard from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and we're set to hear from the other managers involved in Premier League action last night, but please let us know your thoughts via the usual channels above.

    You can also click the thumb up icon to vote for it to be removed, or thumb down to keep VAR beyond this season.

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