VAR Controversy: Officials Struggle with Technology During Crucial Stoppage

March 2, 2025 - 05:27

The Football Association has shed light on the unprecedented eight-minute VAR stoppage that occurred during Bournemouth's FA Cup fifth-round victory over Wolves. This lengthy delay was attributed to a congested penalty area, which complicated the review process for the officials. In a surprising turn of events, the technology typically relied upon for such decisions failed to provide clarity, forcing the referees to revert to manually drawn lines to assess the situation.

The pivotal moment came when Bournemouth's defender Milos Kerkez found the back of the net in the 35th minute. However, his goal was ultimately disallowed after it was determined that teammate Dean Huijsen was in an offside position, having been in close proximity to the play as Kerkez's shot grazed his shoulder. This incident has reignited discussions surrounding the reliability of VAR technology and its impact on the game, particularly in high-stakes situations like the FA Cup.