An absolute mess from start to finish
You’d be forgiven for taking this game off, going outside to enjoy the sun, and coming back later for what is, on paper at least, a better game of football in Leeds vs Aston Villa.
But Brighton’s trip to the Hawthorns has provided controversy in bundles with the latest VAR shambles on a long list of VAR shambles this season.
Brighton went a goal down, missed a penalty and then had a free kick goal chalked off in baffling circumstances in an eventful first half against West Bromwich Albion.
But we’re focussing on the free kick. The away side had won a set piece about 20 yards out. Brighton captain Lewis Dunk stood over the ball. Referee Lee Mason blew his whistle. Baggies keeper Sam Johnstone wasn’t ready. Dunk took the free kick quickly, curling the ball into a gaping net.
But Mason quickly signalled the goal didn’t stand, to the bemusement of the players, who pointed out that he had blown his whistle.
After a long VAR check – still not sure what they were checking, possibly whether Mason’s second whistle came before or after the ball went in – it was decided that the goal would not stand.
Dunk was then made to retake the free kick, which Johnstone saved comfortably.
So that’s what happened in chronological order. Watch the video below and see if you can make sense of it.
Here is the full incident that saw Lewis Dunk’s free kick chalked off.
An absolute mess from start to finish pic.twitter.com/xo7kXGLIVT
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 27, 2021
