Howard Webb warned use of VAR is "regressing" after latest Premier League howler
Former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock has lambasted VAR for not overturning the decision to give Newcastle a penalty during their 2-2 draw at Wolves.
Eddie Howe's side were awarded a spot-kick on the stroke of half-time after referee Anthony Taylor felt Hwang Hee-chan fouled Fabian Schar inside the box. VAR had another look at it and were happy with the on field decision, though the Wolves players were insistent that it shouldn't be given.
Callum Wilson stepped up from 12 yards and slotted the ball home to give Newcastle the lead for the second time, after Mario Lemina's header cancelled out Wilson's opener. Hwang made amends for giving the penalty away, however, as he slammed home an equaliser to earn a share of the spoils.
After the match, Gary O'Neil admitted it was a "terrible decision", while fans flocked on social media to slam the officials for giving Newcastle a penalty. Now, former Liverpool left-back Warnock has delivered his reaction and openly slammed Howard Webb for how the officiating has regressed in recent months.
"I'm completely losing faith with VAR and the decisions that are being made in recent weeks," he told Sky Sports. "Howard Webb was brought in to improve situations. He came in, all guns blazing, explaining how he was going to do things better and there were clear lines of communication and what was going to happen.
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"But it has regressed and got worse. It's not improved at all and it's a worrying sign at the moment that VAR is getting to this point. How that has not been overturned is just astonishing.
"Imagine if you're Gary O'Neil, you're thinking the Manchester United game, the Luton game and now that game. That's three big decisions that can change your season. You're looking at it and thinking who is in that position to make those decisions and why are they getting them wrong? We are supposed to be the best league in world football, and at the moment, our VAR and refereeing is letting the game down."
Wolves were furious after Newcastle were awarded a penalty at Molineux (Getty Images)Meanwhile, ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also weighed in on his verdict and agreed with Warnock. "It's not a penalty for me," he said. "I can see why the referee gave it. But when you look at it again, you only have to see one replay and you knew it wasn't a foul. The fact it was looked at so many times... I can't see a foul."
It was a clean sweep on the panel as Sue Smith didn't think it was a foul either. When quizzed about whether it was a penalty, Smith said: "Absolutely not. You can understand the frustration of Gary O'Neil and the Wolves players and the fans because that's a really poor decision.
"You can understand why the referee may give that. I have no idea why VAR don't say that is not a penalty, really surprised by that. It's one of the worst decisions of the weekend."
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