Anthony Gordon delivered a brilliant interview after last night’s painful 3-2 defeat away to Manchester United, telling Sky Sports “get rid of it, or get better” when discussing VAR.
The winger saw Sofyan Amrabat rake down his ankle in what he describes as a “clear penalty”, but the video assistant referee opted against an on-pitch review.
Speaking to Sky moments after the game (watch below), Gordon declared “I don’t understand what the point of VAR is” if they refuse to correct blatant mistakes; of which he feels there are “too many.” Watch the interview below, followed by his quotes in full:
"I don't understand what the point of VAR is then" 😳
Anthony Gordon vents over VAR and it's decision to not give Newcastle a penalty ❌ pic.twitter.com/al4CCooNds
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2024
“I’ve watched the incident back, it’s a clear penalty. I don’t mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch because it’s a difficult decision, things happen really quickly, but I don’t understand what the point of VAR is then.
“It’s there to correct mistakes, he goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back, then Casemiro comes and gets the ball, but it’s two fouls before that. I honestly don’t see the point of it.
“I knew straightaway (it was a foul). That’s why I didn’t appeal, because I don’t mind the referee not giving it because it’s fast, but I’ll wait for the VAR to check. You can see me telling my team-mates, ‘Don’t worry, it’s a penalty, it’s a clear penalty.’ Then we carry on, I’ve got no sock left and I don’t understand the point of it, I really don’t.”
On the upcoming vote to keep or scrap VAR, Gordon added: “It’s a big decision. I’m actually quite fond of it, I’m fond of the idea… It should be something that works in the league, but it’s not. There’s constantly too many mistakes. We’ve missed too many chances there to blame it on anything else…
“It’s a clear, clear and obvious mistake. I don’t know how you can get it wrong. So either get rid of it, or get better, it’s very simple.”
Speaking about the penalty claim after the match, Howe said: “I was surprised because I was watching it back at the time, trying to see what happened, and why Anthony had gone down, basically,” he said. “I was like: there must be a reason.
“So first couple of views of it, I couldn’t see. And then you could see the contact, it’s an absolute stonewall penalty. I don’t know how VAR’s not got involved in that. That’s its job.
“I’m the same on VAR as where I’ve always been. I like the power being with the referee, even if they miss penalties like today. So for me, offsides, yes, but give more power back to the referees.”
The ref didn’t give it so if no var result would have been the same ie no penalty’s
It is the quality of the officials that is P poor.
We need ex professional footballers only on var if we keep it.
However last night we got what we deserved, sloppy at the back and no killer instinct in front of goal.
Joseph(Quote)
He’s not wrong about var, but the reason nufc lost last night was lack of quality and more so lack of belief. In an inconsistent season, the two games that really mattered ( manutd and Chelsea) they lost but worse they didn’t turn up. Very disappointing.
getreal(Quote)
Getreal :-
It’s not that they didn’t turn up last night… they just weren’t good enough.
I like Gordon’s honesty!
Joseph(Quote)
Well at least finally we saw the players that are just not good enough moving forward in our project.
Need a goalkeeper, hopefully the free transfer players and a striker to replace Wilson, once Tonali and Willock are back we have enough cover with the young ones. Minteh might be the right winger we need. Hwtl
Kiddafromthetoon(Quote)