"Get Rid Of VAR!": Rooney's Outrage After Haaland Denied Penalty In FA Cup Final

Admin

3 min read

Post on May 18, 2025

4.5

Share

Get Rid of VAR! Rooney's Outrage After Haaland Denied Penalty in FA Cup Final

Manchester City's Erling Haaland was denied a penalty in the FA Cup final against Manchester United, sparking outrage from pundit Wayne Rooney and reigniting the debate about the effectiveness of VAR in football. The controversial decision, made by referee Paul Tierney and upheld after a VAR review, has once again thrust the video assistant referee system into the spotlight, with calls for its overhaul or even complete removal growing louder.

The incident occurred in the second half with the score at 2-1 to Manchester City. Haaland, charging into the box, appeared to be tripped by United defender, [insert defender's name here]. The initial appeal for a penalty was waved away by Tierney, but the VAR review, after what felt like an eternity to the watching millions, concluded that there wasn't sufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision. This sparked immediate fury from the Manchester City bench and, subsequently, widespread criticism from football fans and pundits alike.

Rooney Leads the Charge Against VAR

Former England captain and current DC United manager Wayne Rooney didn't mince his words in his post-match analysis. "It was a clear penalty," Rooney stated emphatically. "I don't understand how VAR can miss something so blatant. It's ruining the game. We need to get rid of VAR!" His passionate outburst reflects the sentiment of many who feel the technology, intended to improve accuracy, is instead causing more confusion and frustration. Rooney's strong stance, given his legendary status in the game, adds significant weight to the growing anti-VAR movement.

The Growing Backlash Against VAR

Rooney's comments are just the latest in a string of criticisms directed at VAR. The system has been consistently criticized for:

• Inconsistency in application: Similar incidents are judged differently depending on the referee, the game, and even the time of day. This lack of consistency undermines the credibility of the system.
• Excessive delays: The lengthy reviews disrupt the flow of the game and kill the atmosphere in stadiums. The anticipation and tension are replaced by frustrating waits and uncertainty.
• Over-reliance on technology: The human element of refereeing is being increasingly eroded, leading to debates about the interpretation of marginal decisions that ultimately come down to subjective judgment.
• Lack of transparency: The rationale behind some VAR decisions remains unclear, leaving fans and players feeling bewildered and cheated.

The Future of VAR in Question

The FA Cup final incident has once again highlighted the fundamental flaws within the current VAR system. While the technology aims to improve accuracy, its implementation has frequently fallen short. The debate now moves towards finding a solution; whether that's refining the existing protocols, introducing new technologies, or, as Rooney suggests, scrapping VAR altogether. The coming weeks and months are sure to see further discussions amongst footballing authorities and passionate fans about the future of VAR and its place in the beautiful game. The question remains: will we see a future without VAR, or will the system undergo a significant overhaul? The pressure is on to find a solution that enhances, rather than hinders, the enjoyment of football.