Alexis Mac Allister scored an early goal of the season contender during Brighton’s Premier League meeting with Leicester on Sunday.
Or so we thought.
From a Seagulls set-piece, the Argentina international lashed in an unstoppable drive from the edge of the area to put the home side ahead.
However, on a weekend full of sketchy decisions from referees and their video assistant referees, Brighton were denied the goal for an offside in the buildup.
Was it the right call?
Mac Allister wheeled off in celebration, rightly happy with what could have been the best goal of his career, but elation soon turned to tension as it was announced at the AMEX and on live television that the goal was being checked by VAR.
Chris Kavanagh – the referee running VAR for the game – had spotted a potential offside from Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu.
The 24-year-old veered into an offside from Pascal Gross’ free kick and attempted an audacious scissor-overhead kick hybrid, getting nothing on the ball as it was cleared to Mac Allister.
The VAR delay was long, and though the squiggly lines showed Mwepu in an offside position, referee Tony Harrington was still called over to the monitor to check the decision himself.
It was eventually decided that Mwepu had interfered in the phase of play by attempting to play the ball and the goal was eventually disallowed.
The whole VAR system is having a bit of a publicity crisis right now. Controversial decisions where made to deny Newcastle and West Ham goals on Saturday against Crystal Palace and Chelsea respectively.
Both decisions seemed debatable, with many upset that VAR is currently being used to overturn marginal calls when onfield referees have confirmed the goals.
Understandably, the reaction to the disallowed goal did not get much praise on social media.
Bin it!! 🚮 #VAR
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) September 4, 2022
Well done VAR . One of the great goals ruled out for something nobody even appealed for. It’s a total shambles as it has been from its inception
— Jeff Stelling (@JeffStelling) September 4, 2022
VAR is at the centre of everything this weekend…
Alexis Mac Allister has one of the goals of the season ruled out for offside in the build up! 😬 pic.twitter.com/qzQVx8xhyZ
— 90min (@90min_Football) September 4, 2022
VAR is the worst thing to ever happen to football and if you disagree you’re wrong.
— Ben Ramsdale (@benaramsdale) September 4, 2022
The Premier League is due to review the controversial decisions from Saturday’s games as a matter of priority with referee body PGMOL.
Credit: 90min.com
