Fans are all saying the same thing after VAR controversially overturned a major decision during Liverpool vs. Real Madrid.
The Champions League encounter between Liverpool and Real Madrid erupted in the 30th minute when the hosts were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position, prompting match referee Istvan Kovacs to consult VAR to determine whether to enhance his decision to a penalty.
Kovacs investigated the incident in which Dominik Szoboszlai smacked the ball into Aurelien Tchouameni’s hand.
However, he controversially reversed his earlier ruling and decided not to award a free kick or penalty, much to the dismay of Mark Clattenburg on Amazon Prime.
Former Premier League referee Clattenburg thought it interesting that Kovacs was permitted a second opinion, comparing it to how VAR is used in England’s top division – and Alan Shearer also disagreed with the decision.
The Romanian official determined that Tchouameni did not increase his body size and kept his hand at his side.
As the Liverpool fans fumed inside Anfield, play resumed with a drop-ball for the visitors.
https://x.com/primevideosport/status/1985809032452489354
Needless to say, Kovacs’ decision to overturn Liverpool’s free kick sparked outrage on social media, with many people unable to believe what they had witnessed.
One X user wrote: “Bruv, he gave a free kick, went to do a penalty check, and then overturned the free kick???????” When did VAR ever just overturn a free kick?
A second person asked, “Since when could you change free kicks with VAR?”
A third asked, “Can VAR overturn free kicks????”
A fourth added: “The referee awards a free kick for a handball right outside the box. The VAR review indicates that it is inside the box. The referee signals a drop ball. “I have never seen anything like it in my life.”
Another person asked, “Is that the first time a free kick has ever been overturned by VAR?”
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