Kevin Campbell: ‘VAR is not fit for purpose’ after Everton controversy
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Everton found themselves on the wrong side of a hugely controversial moment against Manchester City and Kevin Campbell is not happy.
The Toffees should have been awarded a penalty soon after the Citizens took the lead on Saturday evening when the ball hit Rodri’s arm in the area.
The on-field referee didn’t give it with players in his way but remarkably, VAR decided that there was inconclusive evidence to overturn the decision.
Frank Lampard was incensed with the decision and the club have received an apology from the PGMOL’s general manager Mike Riley for the errors made on the day [Sky Sports].
Former Toffees striker Campbell has torn into VAR after the controversy and thinks the technology is no longer fit for purpose.
“Rodri has handballed it, that is handball,” Campbell said exclusively to Goodison News. “Whether you support Everton or not, you’re a football fan and when you look at that, it isn’t even questionable.
“Fair enough, the ref could say he had bodies in front of him and he couldn’t see it. There is no way under the sun that Chris Kavanagh and VAR could say ‘the evidence is inconclusive’.
“That is insulting our intelligence. I just don’t get it; everyone knows it’s a penalty.
“VAR has yet again proven to not make the right decision and I say VAR is not fit for purpose.”
The tech will be in use again when Everton welcome Boreham Wood to Goodison Park in the FA Cup on Thursday where they hope it will be well out of the headlines.
In other Everton news, Alisher Usmanov was involved in Lampard’s interview despite holding no club role according to the latest reports.
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