During an FA Cup clash between Bournemouth and Wolves in Bournemouth, England, a prolonged interruption of over seven minutes took place as the video-assistant referee (VAR) disallowed a goal. This was despite a trial of a new semi-automatic offside system aimed at streamlining such decisions.
In this particular match, Milos Kerkez seemed to have extended Bournemouth’s lead to 2-0 with a header following a corner. However, the ball inadvertently deflected off teammate Dean Huijsen, who was in an offside position, resulting in the VAR’s scrutiny.
This latest technology, being tested for the first time in this round of the competition, promises to hasten offside decisions. However, a complication arose when the need to also verify a potential handball incident rendered the technology inapplicable, compelling the VAR to inspect the incident manually. Consequently, it took a full seven minutes after the goal was scored for a decision to be rendered.
Throughout this extensive pause, spectators from both sides voiced their frustration with chants suggesting the sport was deviating from its essence.
Although the critique of VAR is ongoing due to its propensity for causing game delays, seldom do such reviews extend beyond a few minutes. The semi-automatic system is designed to abbreviate these checks significantly, typically to a mere 31 seconds.
Ultimately, the game concluded with a 1-1 draw, following Matheus Cunha’s equalizer for Wolves in the second half, prompting an extension into extra time.
