London, United Kingdom | AFP | The use of VAR for the first time in the Premier League bewildered fans and experts alike at the weekend, prompting demands for change. The Video Assistant Referee system, previously used in England in the FA and League Cups, is supposed to eradicate any doubt …
Read More »Three things we learned from the Premier League
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The Premier League returned with a bang as title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool enjoyed goal sprees, while VAR controversies hogged the headlines. Here, AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the opening weekend of the English top-fight season: Man City, Liverpool …
Read More »VAR will cause ‘controversy’ admits Premier League chief
Shanghai, China | AFP | Premier League interim chief executive Richard Masters admits VAR is certain to cause “controversy” when the technology makes its English top-flight debut in the forthcoming season. The video referee system will be used for the first time in the Premier League after its introduction was delayed …
Read More »Africa hopes stars can shine in Egypt after officials cause shame
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Top African football officials hope the history-making Cup of Nations in Egypt from June 21 can deflect attention away from a string of embarrassing incidents involving them. In recent weeks, CAF president Ahmad Ahmad and senior vice-president Amaju Pinnick and VAR have been dominating the …
Read More »Tunisian club win African title after final abandoned over VAR
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Esperance won the CAF Champions League in Tunisia Saturday after Wydad Casablanca refused to continue playing on 60 minutes because VAR was unavailable to judge a disallowed equaliser. The Tunisian side were leading 1-0 in the second leg of the final and 2-1 overall …
Read More »Chaos and comebacks: Champions League proves the ultimate in sporting drama
Amsterdam, Netherlands | AFP | After all that, why exactly would you want to change it? Just as moves are being stepped up that threaten to change the Champions League into more of a closed shop than ever, along comes the drama of this week at Anfield and in Amsterdam of …
Read More »Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref rant
Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | Neymar was suspended for three Champions League matches by UEFA on Friday for a foul-mouthed tirade at match officials following Paris Saint-Germain’s shock exit from this season’s tournament to Manchester United. The Brazil star missed the 3-1 Champions League second leg last 16 defeat on March …
Read More »Did VAR get big calls right? Debate rages on after Champions League drama
Paris, France | AFP | Neymar called the decision that led to Paris Saint-Germain being dumped out of the Champions League a “disgrace”, while elsewhere on Wednesday Roma were left raging — both clubs are out of Europe and both feel cheated by controversial VAR calls. “It’s a disgrace. They …
Read More »We can go all the way,’ says Solskjaer after United’s last-gasp PSG stunner
Paris, France | AFP | Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his side “can go all the way” in the Champions League after Marcus Rashford’s dramatic stoppage-time penalty gave them a stunning 3-1 win away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday as they improbably reached the quarter-finals on away goals. A seriously depleted United looked …
Read More »Premier League set to use VAR from next season
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The Premier League is set to use the Video Assistant Referee system from next season after clubs “agreed in principle” to the move on Thursday. During a meeting attended by key members of all 20 Premier League clubs, officials were presented with an update …
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