Opinion

‘VAR - Clearly and obviously not working!’ - City fans fed up with VAR after Pukki offside

Connor Southwell

Published: 10:15 PM December 28, 2019 Updated: 11:08 PM October 10, 2020

City fans voice their displeasure at VAR through banners. Picture: AlongComeNorwich - Credit: Archant

Norwich City supporters in the Barclay Stand held a banner protesting against VAR after Teemu Pukki had a goal disallowed by the video assistant referee in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

If I was on the #ncfc board I'd be asking the ⁦@premierleague⁩ for an official explanation of this.
These decisions could cost the club relegation and millions... pic.twitter.com/4nlGlVViOB
— Mike Liggins (@MikeLiggins) December 28, 2019

I don't even know where to start with that, other than I'm so very proud of our team. If we go down, we go down true to ourselves and fighting. And I'm still loving watching them play that beautiful game.

Oh, and VAR can totally do one. #ncfc
— Clare (@clarebearthomas) December 28, 2019

Here we go again. More nonsense from VAR. Pukki goal ruled out when level. If you have to draw lines and dots and it's still not clear one way or the other, then please stop undermining the on-field officials. Absurd.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 28, 2019

VAR - Clearly and obviously not working. Decision: Get in the bin#ncfc #NORTOT pic.twitter.com/oHlZeWGsPx
— Andrew Lawn (@Andrew_Lawn) December 28, 2019

So the 27000 at the game and millions watching were denied celebrating the best pass I've ever seen at Carrow Road, by Mario Vrancic. Absolutely scandalous!! #ncfc #VAR #itsnotfootballanymore
— Mike Ward (@mjtward19) December 28, 2019

Spirited performance from those #NCFC lads ruined by VAR.

So impressed with Jamal & Mario.

Must win against Palace.

On The Ball, City! pic.twitter.com/25hcroeczF
— Chris Reeve (@ChrisReevo) December 28, 2019

I pay hundreds of pounds a year to watch football for joyous moments of pure skill like that - not to have some person in a box room decide it shouldn't be allowed due to a minimal offside.
VAR is a disgrace. #ScrapVAR #CanaryCall #Ncfc
— David Powles (@David_Powles) December 28, 2019

if VAR had actually given the correct decision at 2-0 this game could be so different and we could have gotten the 3 points we deserve #NCFC
— edie (@ediewright_) December 28, 2019

That's not offside, I can see that and I'm on a train to Scunthorpe #ncfc
— Kris (@loodofsquit) December 28, 2019

Last 4 games we could/should have won. I know we would have taken the 1 point before the game but feel robbed by VAR!
Hanley found 2nd gear and Jamal looked on it again.
Let's just keep the boys going #ncfc #canarycall
— Anita NCFC forever (@anitajbyrne) December 28, 2019

'It's not football anymore', was the chant that escalated around Carrow Road as supporters voiced their displeasure at technological interference in the sport.

Pukki latched onto a Mario Vrancic pass before coolly slotting past Paulo Gazzaniga and into the net.

But as with many goals this season, City fans celebrations were cut short when VAR gave the decision in favour of the visitors.

Replays showed that Pukki's arm was millimetres ahead of Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.

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Had the goal of stood, it would have put City 2-0 up at half-time, where the dynamic of the fixture could have radically changed.

City boss Daniel Farke claimed that he felt like 'everything was against' his side in an earlier press conference and it appears lady luck still isn't shining on the Canaries.

City remain bottom of the Premier League table, six points from safety.

Our performances have deserved better results, today being a case in point. But I worry we are playing as well as we can and it's just not enough at this level. Three points from 21 in December is abysmal and nailed on relegation form. Only a win against Palace will do #ncfc
— Richard Balls (@RichardBalls) December 28, 2019

When was the last time someone scored a goal with their armpit? If someone ever did manage to, it would no doubt be ruled out for handball anyway
— van der Finz (@JamesFinbow) December 28, 2019

One of the big points about this is that before fans can support their team, they have to be able to. It's why the @WeAreTheFSA £20 campaign was so important too. Match going fans are the lifeblood of this game and it's being destroyed.
— Andrew Lawn (@Andrew_Lawn) December 28, 2019

People told me clubs like us will benefit from VAR. We are past half way of the season and we are yet to benefit from it. Had enough of this. It's a joke. The game has truly gone. #canarycall
— David'Spud'Thornhill (@spud1902) December 28, 2019

If you take the context out of it for a second, it was a good performance and result for #NCFC against Jose's Spurs. #VAR robbed us of a win. The fact we're adrift at the bottom makes it harder to stomach.
— Joe Hinchliffe (@JoeHinchliffe93) December 28, 2019

Raging. Couldn't feel like I could celebrate the 2nd half goal after being stung in the first. It's not football anymore sadly with VAR, can understand why some people will stop going. Another decent display, luck will surely turn at some point. #NCFC
— Adam Brandon (@AdamBrandon84) December 28, 2019

VAR. I refer back to previous tweets. It's for the howler, not the millimetre. If you like its implementation on offsides like that, then you like a different game to me
— Guy Mowbray (@Guymowbray) December 28, 2019

VAR has just denied Vrancic of one of the best assists of the season. All because the FA don't trust their, very own, officials enough to make their own call. What. A. Joke. #ncfc
— Ben Ambrose (@ben_ambrose23) December 28, 2019

It's not football anymore
— Jack Reeve (@JackReeveTNC) December 28, 2019

Sorry, but I'm switching off. On no planet in the solar system should that Pukki goal have been judged offside. VAR is a complete joke, a disaster, a self-inflicted catastrophe. And I'm neither pro-Norwich nor anti-Spurs. I just happen to have loved football for 60-odd years.
— Richard Williams (@rwilliams1947) December 28, 2019