Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was left fuming after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United on Sunday, claiming that a disallowed goal and a missed red card had prevented his team from securing all three points.
Iraola was particularly incensed by a VAR decision that overturned a late Dango Outtara goal, insisting that the ball had not touched the Newcastle defender’s arm. “It is very difficult to digest,” he said post-match. “I think we should have won the game. I will complain now. Nothing will happen, I am not against the referee. He gave the goal, he didn’t have the chance to go to the monitor and watch it. If he did I am sure he would give the goal. They will say it is a factual decision but it is not a factual decision.”
It ends all square at the Vitality đźź°
Bournemouth thought they scored a last-gasp winner through Dango Ouattara.
VAR intervened and the effort was disallowed for handball.#BBCFootball #BOUNEW pic.twitter.com/tl6vQqdTTs
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 25, 2024
The Bournemouth boss also took issue with Newcastle midfielder Joelinton escaping a red card for a foul on goalkeeper Neto. “I don’t even want to speak about this,” Iraola stated. “I complain now about other things, I think why we didn’t win is very clear. We didn’t win today because of this. I don’t care if they show a red card or not, it won’t change the game, what will change the game was the goal they disallowed from us.”
Iraola’s outburst highlights the growing frustration among managers with the use of VAR in the Premier League. While the technology has undoubtedly improved the accuracy of decision-making, there have been numerous instances where it has been criticized for inconsistencies and controversial rulings.
