“The game is going one way…”
Scott Parker went on a passionate anti-VAR monologue in his post-match interview on Saturday evening after his Fulham side had to settle for a draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Fulham had taken the lead thanks to a Matt Ritchie own goal, but the Magpies drew level in the second half through a Callum Wilson penalty, which Parker feels shouldn’t have been given.
Wilson was tussling with Fulham defender Joachim Anderson as the pair ran into the Fulham box, at which point Wilson fell to the ground.
There is a visible shirt pull from Anderson but the contact does not continue into the penalty area, as the replays showed.
But still, a penalty was awarded.
After the game, Parker said football had “not changed for the better” since the introduction of VAR, describing the situation on the touchline as a “shouting match” and “a mess.”
“The game’s changed drastically. I think we can see that,” Parker said after the 1-1 draw.
“VAR was brought in to make the correct decisions. I understand at real speed, maybe he gives a penalty.
“For me, what I’ve just seen… This is not me standing here and trying to defend it because I want the opportunity for my time to not [have to face] the penalty.
“The contact is initially made outside the box, he then goes into the box and dives.
“The ref decides to give the penalty, we have VAR calling him to say ‘can you go and check it because I’m not sure.’
“He then goes over to the screen. Unless he’s seen something totally different to me… I’ve slowed it down numerous times. I don’t know if he’s looking at the same angles I’m looking at…”
My manager 🙌pic.twitter.com/ChvIw9coq5
— Fulhamish (@FulhamishPod) December 19, 2020
“I just don’t understand. The game is changing drastically and it ain’t changed for the better, in my opinion.
“The game is going one way now. On the sideline it’s just a shouting match in terms of this decision, that decision.
“It’s a bit of a mess, to be honest.”
