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The FA Cup fifth round tie between Bournemouth and Wolves provided the latest embarrassing VAR incident as fans at the Vitality Stadium were left waiting for seven minutes before seeing a second goal chalked off for the Cherries.
Fans were heard chanting “It’s not football anymore” and “This is embarrassing” as officials repeatedly looked at replays to decide whether there had been any infringements in the lead up to the goal.
Dean Huijsen had bundled the ball into the back of the net after Milos Kerkez had headed a corner back across goal, but replays suggested Huijsen may have been offside, while the ball may also have come off the defender’s arm.
The semi-automated offside technology, which is being used in English football for the first time this weekend, is believed to have failed, so officials were forced to manually draw the lines for the offside as has been practice up to this point.
However, this led to a lengthy delay as officials were unable to provide a concrete answer for seven minutes before referee Sam Barrott led captains Nelson Semedo and Lewis Cook to the touchline to speak with their managers.
Moments later, Barrott finally ruled out the goal for offside, provoking more frustration from the home fans.
VAR was required again before the end of the second half as Alex Scott tapped in, but thankfully it was an altogether more simple decision for Barrott as he had spotted a handball from Scott which VAR quickly cleared.
