Leeds United's Weston McKennie
Footage has emerged of a decision which VAR refused to overrule on that saw Georginio Rutter’s initial goal ruled out.
The Lowdown: Leeds fail to capitalise on chances
Leeds were knocked out of the FA Cup midweek by Premier League opposition Fulham, although they may well count themselves very unlucky given that they had six shots on target, whereas their opponents scored from two out of their three (FBRef) efforts at Illan Meslier.
Both of the goals Fulham scored against Leeds came from outside of the box and were moments of brilliance from Palhinha and Manor Soloman, although it could have all been different had VAR intervened prior to the opening goal.
Rutter thought he’d scored his first goal for Leeds since joining for £35.5 million in January as he got on the end of Weston Mckennie’s header and bundled the ball home, however, referee Chris Kavanagh blew up for a free kick for a push from the American international.
The Latest: VAR fails to intervene
Former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford labelled the decision as ‘ridiculous‘ at half time of the game as the push and contact from McKennie looked to be very minimal and that Harry Wilson may well have made the most out of it.
The game may well have been very different had VAR noticed the severe lack of contact from McKennie as it would have given Leeds something to defend and perhaps forced Fulham to come onto them more than necessary.
The Verdict: Decisions cost Leeds in FA Cup
Given that Fulham then went on to secure their spot in the next round of the FA Cup thanks to two wonderful goals, this decision will be angering Leeds and Javi Gracia even more as they will likely believe they deserved more from the game.
It is a pretty atrocious decision from the VAR team because even though there was the slightest of touches on the back of Wilson, his jump through the air and flinging his arms up shows how much he was trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.
The look of confusion from both Rutter and McKennie after the free kick had been awarded just shows how poor of a decision it was both on-field and also back in the VAR room at Stockley Park.
Indeed, perhaps a lack of knowledge from the referee there who in the first place should have known that Harry Wilson has a history of making a meal out of things.
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