Jeff Stelling says he wants VAR scrapped after yet another refereeing blunder cost Newcastle in the Champions League against PSG.
The former Soccer Saturday host leaped onto X in a rage after the Magpies conceded a late penalty which, according to the rules, shouldn't have been awarded. Deep into stoppage time, an attempted Ousmane Dembele cross was blocked in the box by the outstretched arm of Tino Livramento, but because the ball had initially ricocheted off the Toon defender's chest, there were no grounds for a foul.
Nevertheless, a penalty was awarded following a VAR review, and was duly converted by Kylian Mbappe, cancelling out Alexander Isak's first half opener. The equaliser not only denied Newcastle a famous victory but also left them needing a win in their final group game to progress to the knockout stage.
READ MORE: UEFA guideline proves PSG shouldn't have been gifted pen in Newcastle VAR horror show
READ MORE: 'Do me a f***ing favour' blasts Alan Shearer as VAR handball mess costs Newcastle PSG win
Furious, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer wrote on X after the game: "Do me a f***ing favour man. What a load of s***. #VAR," to which Stelling replied: "Officials ruining the game Al. Makes me feel like stopping watching."
Stelling, who now works for talkSPORT, later fumed: "It is the people’s game. How many of the people would be upset if we scrapped VAR? Not me."
Should VAR be scrapped? Let us know in the comments section below.
Although Newcastle have every right to feel hard done by, they were fortunate to still be ahead in the dying embers after getting absolutely peppered by PSG in the second half. The hosts ended the game with 31 shots to Newcastle's five, 73% possession and an xG of 4.47.
The result leaves Eddie Howe's side third in the group, and they'll need to beat AC Milan next month to stand any chance of making the knockout rounds. Their fate is out of their hands, however, as a PSG win over already-qualified Dortmund will be enough to see the Parisians through.
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Last night's gaffe came 24 hours after Wolves were beaten by Fulham after conceding a similarly controversial penalty in injury time. Faith in the technology appears to be at an all-time low following a series of high-profile blunders this season. Players have also voiced concerns that pauses in play caused by VAR reviews are leaving them susceptible to injury.
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