Harry Maguire controversy: Ex-PGMOL chief predicts VAR change – ‘lazy refs’ savaged
Harry Maguire’s winning goal for Man United against Leicester could inspire the FA into bringing VAR into the FA Cup from an earlier stage , Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there would however be difficulties associated with any attempts to make such a change.
On Friday (7 February), Ruben Amorim’s side again failed to impress with their performance, but secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Leicester at Old Trafford.
That came after Harry Maguire scored in a stoppage-time winner for Man United that left Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy furious.
Though Maguire’s Man United teammates such as Mason Mount delighted in that, replays showed that the centre-back was in a clear offside position when he headed in a free-kick from Bruno Fernandes.
Harry Maguire controversy set to lead to VAR change
But with VAR not in operation until the next round of the FA Cup, the decision could not be overturned.
Had VAR been in operation, there is a near certainty it would have disallowed the winner for Man United that Maguire scored.
Given how much rests on those decisions there may be a suggestion the system should be introduced, although Hackett is unsure it will be for technical reasons, also calling for officials to up their game.
When asked by Football Insider if the FA could introduce VAR to the competition from the earlier stages in the wake of this incident, the former referee said:
“One of the difficulties they’ve got is the amount of technical equipment required for VAR to operate, and more often than the reason Stokley Park has been chosen I think it’s close to IMG and Sky headquarters and the like.
Keith Hackett discusses chances of VAR change after offside controversy
“So I think generally the scenario is that the FA will I’m sure look at it, because there’s no question that the Harry Maguire goal should not have stood. He was offside.
“Now we go back to I think another problem that I’ve mentioned before, and that is that VAR has created lazy officiating, as people now begin to understand what I mean.
“And by lazy officiating is movement on the field of play, so important that the assistant referee is in line with the second rearmost defender, and of course the big part is concentration.
“I think they always think there’s a life belt at the end of the pier and it’s going to throw me a life raft whatever the outcome is the decision at the end of the day is going to be right.
“So I think initially this is poor officiating from the assistant referee. You would not expect a referee operating at the elite level to make such a basic error. So to answer your question, I think officials are getting so used to operating with VAR that when it’s not there, there’s a clear problem.
“But I must say that apart from these key incidents, I think it’s been enjoyable watching the game without VAR to be honest, and to actually see referees making good decisions.”
Both teams will now turn their back to the Premier League for the time being, with Man United travelling to Tottenham on Sunday (16 February).
Leicester meanwhile continue their fight against relegation with the visit of Arsenal to the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon (15 February).