Ex-Premier League referee asks ‘where was VAR?’ at Newcastle as controversial Schar footage emerges
Newcastle United should have been awarded a penalty for Martin Odegaard’s challenge on Fabian Schar during their 2-0 loss to Arsenal.
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the incident as he questioned why VAR did not try and overturn the decision.
With the scores level, Odegaard appeared to bring Schar down in the penalty area as Newcastle floated a corner in, as shown by footage broadcast on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme.
It was missed by referee Stuart Atwell while VAR operator Darren England did not deem it a clear and obvious error.
Asked for his assessment after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley, Hackett said: “He has wrapped his arms around his opponent and spun his opponent inside the penalty area.
You say to yourself ‘Where’s VAR? Darren England, why hasn’t he come in and helped Stuart Atwell?’
“For me, that was a penalty kick, I’m clear about that.
“He’s not got punished at the weekend so what’s going to happen in midweek and the weekend after? This player is going to do the same because he’s got away with it.”
Newcastle’s 2-0 loss leaves them bottom of the Premier League as they continue their search for a first top-flight win of the season.
They host second from bottom Norwich City at St. James’ Park and a win would see them leapfrog the Canaries but they would remain in the bottom three.
In other news, some Newcastle United stars will be left ‘annoyed’ by Eddie Howe’s training HQ ban.