VAR a laughing stock, says Big Sam

boss Sam Allardyce believes VAR is becoming a laughing stock after another controversial decision in yesterday’s 3-0 win against Southampton.

Mbaye Diagne had a fourth-minute goal disallowed for offside at The Hawthorns after glancing in Darnell Furlong’s shot.

VAR official Kevin Friend went with the on-field decision when the cameras at Stockley Park were unable to get the right angle to conclusively show whether the striker’s upper body was on or offside.

The controversy comes a day after Edinson Cavani thought he had opened the scoring for Manchester United at Tottenham, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up as Scott McTominay brushed off Son Heung-min.

Like the Red Devils, West Brom were not affected by the decision as Matheus Pereira’s penalty and goals from Matt Phillips and Callum Robinson earned a crucial victory.

“I’m afraid so (it’s becoming a laughing stock),” Allardyce said.

“The reflection on VAR can be done at the end of the season and all parties should have an influential input into how VAR goes forward.

“That needs to be from the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association), LMA (League Managers Association), Premier League and the FA. There are too many of us not being given an opportunity to express how to make it better.”

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said his side did not seize the opportunity to gain some confidence ahead of the FA Cup semifinal against Leicester City on Sunday.

“We missed everything that is normally part of our game. When you make it that easy for your opponent, it’s not a surprise you are 2-0 down,” an angry Hasenhuttl told BBC Sport.

“We are all responsible for performances like this. If we play like this we have no chance on Sunday. This was a chance to get some self confidence ahead of the weekend – we didn’t take it.

“When the first duel was lost you could see we weren’t sharp enough to compete… Our best 25 minutes was at the start of the second-half but it wasn’t enough. We made changes but we were gone by that point.” – The Independent