Sam Allardyce insists VAR ‘failed’ West Brom ‘massively’ after Mbaye Diagne’s goal was controversially ruled out in win over Southampton – and says English football must ‘come together’ to improve the technology
Sam Allardyce believes English football must come together to improve VAR after the latest controversy put the technology in the spotlight once more.
West Brom beat Southampton 3-0 but early in the game, VAR did not overturn an offside decision that ruled out a header from Mbaye Diagne.
It appeared there was no adequate camera angle to determine whether the forward had been in a legal position or not.
Sam Allardyce says English football must unite to improve VAR after controversy struck again
Allardyce said: ‘VAR has failed us massively. It was a goal. The reflection on VAR can be done at the end of the season and all stakeholders should have an input into how it goes forward – the PFA, LMA, Premier League and FA.
‘We need to come together on this as too many people are not given an opportunity to express how to make it better. Hopefully we will get a better balance and for it to help us more than it’s helped us.
‘They came to the wrong decision here. It happens because of human error, not VAR. In this case, we have the [crucial] camera angle. It’s clear.’
West Brom recovered to preserve their slim survival hopes through goals from Matheus Pereira – from the spot – Matt Phillips and Callum Robinson.