Arsene Wenger has said that VAR should have reviewed the goal scored by Kevin De Bruyne in last night’s 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Real Madrid hosted Manchester City in the UCL semi-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday. It was a match that ended in a draw despite the best efforts from both teams.
The game started with domination from Manchester City, who forced Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois to make some early saves. However, in the 36th minute, Modric and Camavinga combined in a counter-attack with the Frenchman then slotting a pass to Vinicius Junior.
Vinicius scored a right-footed shot into the top left corner to open the scoring. In the 67th minute, Kevin De Bruyne equalized things with an Ilkay Gundogan assist. He shot the ball with incredible technique from the edge of the box putting it in the bottom right corner.
The game then ended with some more close calls, but overall a great display of defensive masterclasses from both teams. Kevin De Bruyne was awarded Man of the Match for his goal and overall attacking display.
But, controversy still followed. Many noticed a mistake in the build-up to the Kevin De Bruyne goal. It seemed that the ball had gone out of play on the sidelines. Bernando Silva picked up the ball and eventually, De Bruyne scored.
What did Arsene Wenger say about the Kevin De Bruyne goal controversy?
Arsenal’s legendary manager Arsene Wenger who was on beIN SPORTS yesterday for the match spoke about the goal. The Frenchman said,
“VAR should have checked Bernardo Silva’s controlling the ball out of play.”
“VAR has been created to make more right decisions [based] on facts – is the ball in or out? VAR has to intervene and make the right decision, this is absolutely 100 percent,” he continued.
š£ļø "The VAR normally should check if the goal is regular or not, in a situation like that – they have to intervene. They did not go far enough back to check."
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 9, 2023
FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger has his say on @ManCity's equaliser…#beINUCL #RMAMCI #UCL pic.twitter.com/xM67s3gY2v
Wenger, who is also FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, also revealed currently VAR doesn’t have the technology to check whether the ball goes out of play on the sidelines. But still said that doesn’t serve as an excuse.
“At the moment, I believe we cannot check on the sideline if the ball is in or out, on the VAR. But we have a chip in the ball now, and with a chip in the ball you can check.”
However, VAR regulations are extremely clear on the scenario. While the Video Assistant Referee can review other occurrences, the ball moving out of play on the sidelines is not one of them.
According to the IFAB’S official VAR handbook, it says,
“A video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official, with independent access to match footage, who may assist the referee only in the event of a āclear and obvious errorā or āserious missed incidentā in relation to: a. Goal/no goal, b. Penalty/no penalty. c. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution), d. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team).”
Real Madrid and Manchester City will now battle for a place in the finals. The return leg is scheduled to take place at the Etihad on May 18.
