December 25, 2024

Arsenal legend Martin Keown calls for VAR to be SUSPENDED after series of ‘glaring mistakes’

Martin Keown #MartinKeown

ARSENAL legend Martin Keown has shockingly called for VAR to be suspended after a weekend of huge errors.

His former club drew 1-1 with Brentford but the Bees’ equalising goal, scored by Ivan Toney, came after Christian Norgaard was offside in the build-up.

Lee Mason supposedly forgot to draw the offside lines

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Lee Mason supposedly forgot to draw the offside linesCredit: Sky Sports Martin Keown has been left raging at VAR

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Martin Keown has been left raging at VARCredit: Getty

VAR official Lee Mason supposedly forgot to draw the lines to determine if the Dane was offside as he was looking at another incident in the build-up to the goal.

There was also controversy as Pervis Estupinian’s strike for Brighton was incorrectly ruled out for offside as John Brookes in Stockley Park made the decision based on the wrong Crystal Palace defender.

The refereeing body, the PGMOL, have written to Arsenal and Brighton to apologise citing human error, meanwhile, and Howard Webb has called a meeting with all officials.

However, a fuming Keown suggests VAR may need to be ditched until the refs can use it without big mistakes.

He told talkSPORT: “Is it getting to the stage where we have to suspend VAR until we get it absolutely right? These [mistakes] are glaring.

“To forget to put a line in, I mean I’m trying to look at a comparable of that in any other job or walk of life.

“Obviously, we want to progress in the Premier League, want to be ground-breaking and lead the way.

“But you have to look at the process, these individual decisions. Have we got enough people in the actual booths? 

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“In the World Cup, there were seven people in that room and they got everything pretty much right, didn’t they? There were good people, top people, well trained. We’re getting it wrong.

‘Maybe there aren’t enough people, maybe they’re not taking enough time. Just take your time and get the decision right.

‘I’m looking at Lee Mason being involved in a succession of mistakes in the VAR room. How many mistakes are you allowed to make?

“We don’t want to come down too hard on people because it’s brand new technology, so I’m looking at the overall systems.

“It’s not just one person, it’s a group of people making mistakes.

“Maybe they need to look at the system here and more people need to be involved to make the right decision because it has lasting effects. 

“Look at Brentford this weekend. People will say they deserved it, but not really. Offside is offside.

“This is the one area they told us they can’t make mistakes. And they’re making glaring mistakes.”

In response to the VAR horror show, Brookes has been taken off duty for the clash between Liverpool and Everton as well as Arsenal’s crucial game versus Manchester City in midweek.

Although the PGMOL have only admitted two errors, fans believe there were more questionable decisions made at the weekend.

West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek appeared to handle the ball in the box against Chelsea.

And Wolves’ Mario Lemina was given a second yellow card for being the third player to approach a referee to protest.

Gunners fans are convinced Christian Norgaard was offside

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Gunners fans are convinced Christian Norgaard was offsideCredit: Twitter Brighton's goal was ruled out after the offside was based on the wrong player

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Brighton’s goal was ruled out after the offside was based on the wrong playerCredit: Twitter: @BBCMOTD

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