January 8 – With Tottenham Hotspur spiralling in the Premier League, and boss, Ange Postecoglou under huge pressure, the timing of a new VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system has the Australian fuming.
In the semi-final 1st and 2nd legs of the Carabao Cup, the new system will enable referees to explain their decisions to the crowd via an in-stadium microphone.
The trial is limited to when the referee has visited the pitchside monitor for subjective overturns, and after decisions made on matters such as offside and accidental handball by the goal scorer.
When asked if he was happy with the trial Postecoglou said, “Do I welcome it? No,”
“Do you think if they had shown the handball on the weekend that our supporters would have been happy? Would they have come away and said, ‘oh, that’s great, they explained it?’”
Obviously, Postecoglou, was still feeling salty over a non-call for a handball in their latest defeat at the hands of Newcastle United.
He added: “But at the same time, I have to accept that it’s coming in. I have to accept that this is the way forward. I have to accept that I have to be a part of that.
“But it shouldn’t surprise anyone if I’m not sort of cheerleader for those kind of things.”
With Spurs due to face Liverpool on Wednesday, just a few weeks after a 6-3 mauling at the hands of the Reds in the league, the North Londoners who have a MASH style injury list fear the worst. It has been 16 years since Spurs lifted a major trophy (League Cup), however, Postecoglou has insisted that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a new club – the two-legged clash with high-flying Liverpool will put that theory to the ultimate test.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1736364864labto1736364864ofdlr1736364864owedi1736364864sni@o1736364864fni1736364864