FA says no reason for VAR review on Willy Caballero/Charlie Austin incident at Wembley
Monday 23 April 2018 10:19, UK
The Football Association has told Sky Sports News that the Video Assistant Referee saw no reason for a second look at a controversial moment in Southampton's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea.
Saints boss Mark Hughes was aggrieved that VAR, available in both semi-finals at Wembley, had not been used when Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero appeared to drop the ball over the line for a goal that would have levelled the score at 1-1.
Referee Martin Atkinson had already blown for a foul on Caballero by Southampton striker Charlie Austin in what Hughes termed a "match-defining moment."
The FA told Sky Sports News that all decisions during the game are looked at by VAR and, on this occasion, the referee did not refer to video and VAR saw no reason for the referee to take another look.
Hughes admitted his confusion on the VAR process after the game, as he said: "We're disappointed with the officials on the day, and whoever it is who sits in a darkened room.
"We will speak (to the officials). I'm not sure how the process works. Does the referee make an instant decision? Do they tell him?
"If ever there was a situation for VAR to play a hand and step in to review that, I would have thought that was an opportunity.
"It was a match-defining moment, a key moment. Who knows how the game might have followed from that moment? Why wasn't it referred? I have no idea."
Chelsea went on to secure a 2-0 win and set up a final date with Manchester United on May 19.
