Virgil van Dijk shows aversion to VAR after latest Premier League prank – Liverpool FC
Virgil van Dijk is clearly not a fan of VAR, and the Premier League’s latest shock this weekend underscored why his admirers are dwindling.
The use of VAR in the Premier League leaves a lot to be desired, and players in the game are increasingly impatient with the technology.
While the biggest controversy surrounding VAR is its implementation for marginal offside appeals, Saturday brought two decisions that highlight other areas of concern.
In Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle, Callum Wilson was denied the equalizer after the ball was deemed to have struck his arm – although it was clearly accidental and inevitable.
And hours later, West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena received a red card after making a clearance and inadvertently entered with the leg of Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell on the call.
RED CARD! ?
Fabian Balbuena is sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh after catching Ben Chilwell with his follow-up. What do you think of the decision?
? Watch on Sky Sports PL
? To pursue #WHUCHE here: https://t.co/4xhtbR60p7
? Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/O7GK8VwK6S– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2021
VAR asked referee Chris Kavanagh to review the incident on the field monitor, and Balbuena was later sent off for ‘serious misconduct’ when there was clearly none.
“I can only say that it was someone who has never played the game who made the decision,” said West Ham boss David Moyes. BBC Sport after the game, which ended in a 1-0 loss.
“For me, the most important thing is that this is a really rotten and rotten decision and it should not be given.
Moyes, of course, could be accused of bias, but the call has also come under heavy criticism from people outside of West Ham, including former players, commentators and journalists:
Balbuena sent off at West Ham after the ref viewed reruns. I don’t understand that one. Balbuena clears the ball and his tracking means his foot connects to Chilwell’s calf. He was indeed sent off for kicking the ball. Which is new even this season.
– Oliver Holt (@ OllieHolt22) April 24, 2021
Here I go again. If it’s a red then “the game is gone” Oh my God? it is beyond a joke. Where is Balbuena supposed to put his leg? In his pocket? Levitate? Someone please tell me
– Lee Dixon? (@ LeeDixon2) April 24, 2021
Red card !!!!!!!! ???? Anyone on this bus who understands football! ???
Balbuena, West Ham evicted
– Jan Aage Fjortoft ???? ?? (@JanAageFjortoft) April 24, 2021
No more VAR nonsense in West Ham. Ridiculous red card for Balbuena.
– Ian Darke (@IanDarke) April 24, 2021
I’ve seen bad refereeing decisions this season, but that Balbuena red card was something #WHUCHE
– Alan Smith (@ 9smudge) April 24, 2021
Rio Ferdinand went so far as to insist: “The VAR must be dumped now.”
“We tried it and it’s crap. Get rid of it, ”he wrote on Twitter. “It slows down the game and sucks the emotion out of the game.”
Van Dijk agreed with the former Man United and West Ham center-back, ‘liking’ the tweet as he joined Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah is clearly expressing his dislike of VAR.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Jurgen Klopp described Wilson’s decision to cancel Wilson’s goal as “the first time we’ve been lucky with VAR,” lamenting that Liverpool “didn’t even take that gift.”
In the aftermath of the campaign against the Super League, Burnley’s Ben Mee praised the influence of the Premier League captains, led by Henderson, urging the necessary change.
“The captains are ready to put the rivalries aside and talk to each other, which I don’t think would have happened until last year,” Mee wrote in the Guardian.
“We like to think we’ve had a positive impact with this and our fundraising for the NHS, and we hope we can continue to do so on a wide range of topics for the best of the game and for society.”
There are certainly bigger issues to be addressed, including a stance against racism and online abuse, but maybe players should be consulted on the use of VAR in the future as well.
