Exclusive: Doubts on semi-auto offside testing after Bournemouth v Wolves ‘fiasco’
Keith Hackett has raised questions as to whether English football’s new semi-automated offside system has been fully tested after an incident in the FA Cup clash between Bournemouth and Wolves.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the eight minute wait to disallow a goal for the hosts in that match was “unacceptable”.
Wolves’ 1-0 win over Andoni Iraola’s side in the Premier League the previous week proved controversial following a red card for Bournemouth defender Ilya Zabarnyi.
The meeting between the two in the cup on Saturday (1 March) would generate similar scrutiny on the officials and VAR, albeit for different reasons.
Dean Huijsen goal hit by VAR confusion
The Cherries had gone ahead half-an-hour into the game when Evanilson tapped in on the rebound from close range after Antoine Semenyo’s shot was parried by Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Bournemouth thought they had doubled their lead five minutes later when Milos Kerkez’s header deflected in off Dean Huijsen.
That goal though would eventually be ruled out by VAR, but only after a long check that left fans inside the ground audibly frustrated.
The review initially spent several minutes determining whether the ball had hit the arm of Huijsen, before eventually deciding the contact had been on his sleeve.
| Bournemouth last five games | Result |
| Liverpool (H) | Lost 2-0 |
| Everton (A) | Won 2-0 |
| Southampton (A) | Won 3-1 |
| Wolves (H) | Lost 1-0 |
| Brighton (A) | Lost 2-1 |
However, there was then a check to determine if the Bournemouth defender was in an offside position when the ball hit him.
With the new semi-automated offside review system being used in Premier League grounds for the first time this weekend, that should have taken only a matter of minutes.
Despite that, the check took several more minutes, with commentators suggesting that the semi-automated offside system had failed, forcing VAR to revert to the previous line-drawing operation.
Hackett previously expressed his concerns about the technology used for the new semi-automated offside system, and he has now questioned whether it is ready to be used.
Keith Hackett reacts to VAR and semi-automated offside FA Cup delay
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of such a delay amid those claims, Hackett said:
“The question that you have to ask after this complete fiasco is what amount of testing have they carried out with the installation and operation of the system. Eight minutes borders on the ridiculous.
“Match officials are becoming slaves to technology and it is impacting negatively on their performances and spectator enjoyment. Incidents where you are waiting eight minutes are unacceptable.”
That disallowed goal would prove costly for Bournemouth, with Wolves going on to equalise on the hour-mark through a stunning strike from Matheus Cunha, which saw the game go to extra time.
With the extra 30 minutes failing to provide a winner, the Cherries would eventually hold their nerve to secure their spot in the quarter finals with a 5-4 win on penalties.