Fulham and Burnley Managers Criticize VAR Decisions After Losses

Defeats for both Fulham and Burnley on October 7, 2023, sparked outrage from their managers regarding controversial video assistant referee (VAR) decisions. Scott Parker of Burnley and Marco Silva of Fulham voiced their frustration after their teams faced pivotal moments influenced by VAR interventions.

Burnley appeared poised to secure a point at Old Trafford after equalizing twice against Manchester United. However, in added time, a contentious penalty was awarded to United when Amad Diallo was fouled in the area. Initially, referee Sam Barrott did not call for a penalty but reversed his decision after consulting VAR. Earlier in the match, a penalty awarded to United was overturned after review, as Stuart Attwell directed Barrott to reassess a tussle involving players from both sides.

Reflecting on the incident, Parker expressed concern over the future of the game. “It’s the way the game is going,” he said. “It’s going to become the most sterile game there is. We’re probably months or a year away from not celebrating goals.” He added that the excitement of scoring is now overshadowed by a checklist of potential infractions.

In a separate fixture, Silva’s Fulham experienced a different set of frustrations during their match against Chelsea. The match, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for Fulham, featured a disallowed goal by Luke Harris, an 18-year-old player. The referee ruled there had been a “careless challenge” in the buildup, a decision that left Silva visibly upset.

Silva remarked, “Unbelievable the goal was disallowed,” criticizing the officiating and the amount of stoppage time at the end of the first half, during which Chelsea scored. He felt the game should have been stopped after the first corner, given that over nine minutes of additional time was added.

The situation escalated in the second half when Chelsea was awarded a penalty for handball after another VAR review. Silva reacted sarcastically, stating, “Yes, it’s handball from Sess, but before that moment you can find easy two or three fouls for ourselves.” He highlighted multiple incidents that he believed warranted review, including a push and handball by a Chelsea player.

After a lengthy delay, Enzo Fernández converted the penalty in the 56th minute, sealing Fulham’s fate. Silva’s disappointment extended beyond the match, as he lamented the impact of VAR on the enjoyment of football. “For someone that loves football as a manager, a former football player, as a fan sometimes when I just watch a game, I feel sad, really,” he said.

Both managers’ reactions reflect a growing unease among teams regarding the influence of technology on the game. With VAR continuing to play a significant role in matches, its implementation and the clarity of its decisions remain hot topics for players, managers, and fans alike.