Richard Keys claims VAR is 'giving referees an excuse'
Richard Keys claims VAR is ‘giving referees an excuse’ to avoid tough calls – and slams Simon Hooper for missing Andre Onana’s blatant foul at Old Trafford
- Simon Hooper controversially failed to award Wolves a late penalty last week
- Richard Keys has claimed VAR is ‘giving referees an excuse’ to avoid tough calls
- WATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 1 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show
Richard Keys has claimed that VAR is ‘giving referees’ an excuse to avoid tough decisions after Simon Hooper failed to award Wolves a clear penalty against Man United.
The Red Devils were winning a tight game 1-0 when new goalkeeper Andre Onana rushed out to claim a cross before missing the ball and taking out two Wolves attackers.
Hooper did not see an issue with the attempt while VAR Michael Salisbury and assistant VAR Richard West did not intervene.
This led to the trio being dropped from the next round of Premier League fixtures, while Wolves were issued an apology for the mistake after the match.
For Keys, the issue is how VAR has changed the approach referees take to tough calls. He told BeIN Sport: ‘We don’t need VAR when things are as clear and obvious as that.
Simon Hooper failed to award Wolves a late penalty in their Premier League opener against Man United
United goalkeeper Andre Onana clearly took out two Wolves players, but the referee was not sent to check his monitor
‘You’re giving the referee an excuse. My point is that he shouldn’t have to go and check, because it was so clear that we didn’t need VAR.’
The pundit when on to argue that Hooper had been cowed by the atmosphere at Old Trafford and let it affect his decision making.
‘In COVID, with empty stadiums, [Hooper] gives that,’ he said. ‘At the other end, he gives that. He is intimidated by being at Old Trafford.’
Andy Gray saw a different issue with VAR, arguing that referees should always be encouraged to check their monitors if a mistake has been made.
He argued: ‘[Referees] make mistakes, we get that, but if VAR has seen something, get the referee go and look at it.
‘I don’t like the game to be interrupted, but when it’s as obvious as that, surely the referee should go and check.’
Despite being below their best against Wolves, United held on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a Raphael Varane goal.
The Red Devils will next be in action against Tottenham on Saturday at 5.30pm, while Wolves lost 4-1 to Brighton.
Richard Keys has argued that VAR is ‘giving referees an excuse’ to avoid tough calls
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