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CONFUSION

Officials disallow Spurs goal despite VAR showing Son Heung-min was ONSIDE

The South Korean forward thought he had doubled the visitors lead but was denied by the offside flag

Here we go again.

The return of the FA Cup means VAR is in action once more and in the first fixture of the weekend, we’ve already had our fill of controversy.

Son Heung-min thought he had doubled Spurs’ lead at the Liberty Stadium halfway through the first half but his superbly taken goal was ruled out for offside.

It would have been a terrific goal as well

PA:Press Association
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It would have been a terrific goal as well

The decision was then reviewed by the video assistant referee but while replays seemingly showed the South Korea international was actually just onside, the officials stuck by their original decision and disallowed the goal.

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That second image seems to show Son in line with the last defender.

However, as the rule for offside applies to any part of the body with which the player can score, perhaps the video assistant referee judged the Spurs forward to be offside courtesy of his thigh, chest or shoulder.

Either way, it was a marginal call and you can understand the officials sticking by their decision if they deemed the replays inconclusive.

But many Spurs fans were left bewildered by the outcome…

The latest unconvincing, confusion-inducing, VAR scenario detracted from a wonderful display of technique from Son.

His first touch to control the ball dropping over his shoulder was even better than the emphatic finish.

Fans booed as the referee waited for the video assistant to advise

PA:Press Association
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Fans booed as the referee waited for the video assistant to advise

First half goals from Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela settled the nerves for Mauricio Pochettino as Spurs look set to secure their spot in the semi-finals.

It’s worth noting at this point that VAR will be used at this summer’s World Cup.

What could possibly go wrong?


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