Ange Postecoglou’s classy response to VAR drama, Tottenham Hotspur def by Chelsea, Cristian Romero red card, highlights, video, Premier League, latest, updates
source : www.foxsports.com.au
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou had no complaints about Cristian Romero’s red card and believed VAR will ultimately leave referees without “any authority”.
Postecoglou’s unbeaten run as Premier League manager came to a brutal end in a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea, with Tottenham reduced to nine men and five goals disallowed.
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Romero’s red card was the clear turning point of the match, although it took a seven-minute VAR review before the decision was made.
The Argentine defender received the ball but continued his challenge on Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez in the penalty area.
It was a reckless challenge from Romero and many experts wondered what he was thinking by making such a rash challenge.
Others felt that a penalty was a fair punishment, but a red card may have been too harsh a decision.
But Postecoglou had no complaints about Romero’s departure.
“I have already said that whatever decision is made… at some point we have to accept the referee’s decision,” Postecoglou said in a post-match interview with Air sports.
“That’s how I grew up. And I keep saying that, I said it last time too.
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“This constant erosion of the referee’s authority, this is where the game is going. They will have no authority whatsoever. It will be reduced and we will be in the control of someone looking at a TV screen a few miles away.
“A decision is a decision. You either accept it or you don’t accept it. I’ve always been in the camp that you accept it.
“Believe me, in 26 years I’ve had plenty of bad ones, I’ve had plenty that have gone in my favor.
“It is what it is.”
Romero’s incident was the most controversial of the first half, which saw as many as 12 minutes added due to several VAR checks.
Tottenham’s match against Chelsea was the last Premier League match in which VAR was central.
Earlier in the matchweek, Spurs’ bitter rivals Arsenal were at the center of a VAR controversy that condemned the club to a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
In a strong signing with Postecoglou, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was seething and issued a scathing, public ban on referees in the Premier League – something that was subsequently backed in a statement from the club.
The Spaniard was furious after Anthony Gordon’s strike survived three VAR checks to inflict the Gunners’ first league defeat of the season.
“The result should not be what it is. It’s shameful what happened, how this goal stands, in the Premier League, we think this league is the best in the world,” said Arteta.
“I have been in this country for twenty years and now I am ashamed. It’s a shame and there’s too much at stake here.”
Daily Mail chief sports writer Oliver Holt was quick to praise Postecoglou for offering a much more measured response.
“Postecoglou’s reaction tonight to decisions that went against him was in stark contrast to Arteta’s on Saturday,” Holt wrote on X.
‘Arteta behaved like a petulant, excessive child. Postecoglou behaved as an intelligent, reflective leader.
“I know which of them would want to be in charge of my club.”
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source : www.foxsports.com.au
