The company that provided the bizarre VAR images during Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Huddersfield on Saturday has apologised for the offside controversy.
Juan Mata found the net before half-time after latching on to an Ashley Young pass but once referee Kevin Friend consulted VAR assistant Neil Swarbrick, the decision was made to disallow the goal.
During the consultation process, BT Sport broadcast a bizarre image of Mata’s position when the pass was played, complete with squiggly lines that were not parallel with the lines on the pitch itself.
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The commentary team were as baffled as those watching from home, before it was reported that the images shown on television had not been used to arrive at the offside decision.
Mata’s attitude to the confusion was refreshing as he was just happy that the controversy had no impact on the result, as United secured a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to a Romelu Lukaku brace.
“I celebrated, but apparently VAR showed it was offside. I don’t know. It was very tight, right?” Mata told BT Sport.
“The important thing was that it didn’t really matter because we won anyway. But it was the first time I met Mr VAR. You know what? I’m up for it. I think it’s needed, specifically when there is a clear decision that can change the game, like a goal, offside, red card, but hopefully it will be quicker.
“But I think it’s good for football to be more fair. I scored a goal, I celebrated and when I came to the dressing room they told me that even on the TV, it wasn’t very clear. If the VAR is not clear, what can you do?”
24 hours after the final whistle blew at John Smith’s Stadium, the provider of the VAR pictures apologised.
“A technical error led to an incorrect graphic being provided by Hawkeye to BT Sport on Saturday,” Hawkeye’s statement read.
“To confirm, the VAR saw the correct image with the correct lines to make the decision. This was a case of the wrong image being provided to the broadcaster and we apologise.”
