Rio Ferdinand fumes as Matthijs de Ligt’s goal for Manchester United gets disallowed in their Europa League clash with Rangers.
In a heated Europa League clash at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s Matthijs de Ligt thought he had given his team the lead, only to see his effort chalked off due to an alleged foul in the build-up. The controversial decision has sparked intense debate among fans and football analysts.
De Ligt’s header, which found its way past Rangers’ goalkeeper from a corner kick, was disallowed after the referee consulted VAR and deemed there was an infringement by a United player. The call left many puzzled, as replays appeared to show minimal contact.
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand did not hold back his criticism of the decision. Expressing his frustration, he remarked that the call was excessively harsh and suggested it undermined the physical nature of the game. Ferdinand’s comments resonated with many who felt the goal should have stood.
Supporters flooded social media with their opinions, with one stating that such decisions could potentially eliminate aerial challenges from football altogether. Another fan voiced concerns about VAR’s role in increasing controversies rather than resolving them.
In response to the backlash, the Premier League issued a statement justifying the referee’s decision, asserting that the disallowed goal resulted from a clear and obvious foul, as confirmed by VAR. However, this explanation failed to pacify disgruntled United fans who felt hard done by.
The incident has further fueled ongoing dissatisfaction with VAR, which has been at the center of numerous contentious calls this season. Calls are growing louder for a comprehensive review of the system to improve its consistency and fairness in crucial moments.
As discussions continue, the disallowed goal has emerged as yet another example in the long-standing debate over VAR’s effectiveness and the overall standard of officiating in major competitions.
