Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was baffled why VAR opted to intervene and disallow Dango Ouattara’s injury-time effort against Newcastle this afternoon.
Ouattara thought he had won it for the hosts after seemingly meeting Lewis Cook’s right-wing corner with his shoulder and the ball flying into the net.
Referee David Coote awarded the goal but VAR swiftly ruled the ball had come off the forward’s arm, enabling Newcastle to escape with a point from a 1-1 draw.
Bournemouth’s hearts have been broken by VAR ❌ pic.twitter.com/BcI2RuXMeG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2024
The Premier League described it as a ‘factual handball’ despite numerous television replays failing to conclusively show the ball had ricocheted in off the arm.
Iraola was less than impressed, telling the BBC’s Match of the Day: “It was so obvious. I think everyone who watches the game would agree. I think the shoulder, it never touches his skin. We have very short sleeves. They say it is factual, show me the facts. I have just seen the video and the fact is it doesn’t touch the arm, it is the shoulder, a clear goal and three points for us.
“It is something that is not even controversial. It is definitely not something for VAR to intervene. I have nothing against the referee, he gave the goal, they did not give him the chance to see it again. Someone in the VAR, who supposedly is not going to intervene too much they say because they trust the referee.
“It doesn’t matter I complain now, it is two points less.”
Marcus Tavernier had handed Bournemouth a deserved first-half lead but Newcastle, inspired by the introduction of Harvey Barnes from the bench, grabbed a leveller when Anthony Gordon prodded home at the far post with 14 minutes to go.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted it was a “contentious decision” to disallow Ouattara’s effort but felt his side deserved a point.
The former Bournemouth manager said: “I thought the game was lost because I initially hadn’t seen anything wrong with the goal. We have had it both ways. We have had it for us and against us and we are very grateful for that moment because we have battled hard. What we had at that stage of the game was a valuable point. But I understand that it is a contentious decision.
“I think a draw was fair but Bournemouth may have a different perspective. They did cause us problems with their quick attacks and while I think we had more chances to score more than one, I think they would probably argue the same. With that, I think a draw was fair.
