Former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney believes the use of VAR at St James’ Park led to Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon being sent off against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Gordon was sent off in the 83rd minute after pushing Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke in the head. Referee Anthony Taylor was in no doubt about the decision he needed to make and the forward is now set to miss the next three matches.
In the build-up to the incident, Alexander Isak was in an offside position but the assistant referee delayed his call to raise the offside flag due to VAR being in operation. Eventually, the whistle did blow before Gordon’s coming together with Van Hecke but analysing the incident in the Match of the Day studio Danny Murphy and Rooney had differing views.
“It was a moment of madness because the whistle had already gone which he’d obviously heard, we saw it with Matheus Cunha for Wolves as well the other day and now he’s going to miss arguably the biggest game,” Murphy began. “You just see him at the top of your screen there, the whistle’s just gone there look.
“He just lashes out.” Showing sympathy to Gordon, Rooney added: “This is where I think, if the linesman puts his flag up, none of this happens.
“Now they’re waiting for the VAR to step in and almost referee the game for them but if he puts his flag up that doesn’t happen.” Eddie Howe hinted in his post-match interviews that the Magpies could consider appealing the red card but whether they will be successful remains to be seen.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-receive-new-anthony-31113850
