Man United VAR Controversy: Fans feel Coventry were denied a late winner
Eagle-eyed fans have claimed that a VAR line was drawn over Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s foot to adjudge that Haji Wright was offside during Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Coventry City on Sunday.
In the 121st minute, Coventry appeared to have completed a sensational comeback from 3-0 down to win 4-3 when Haji put the ball in the back of the net, but following a VAR review, it was ruled out, and the match went into penalty shootouts. United prevailed 4-2 and reached the finals for the second season running.
However, fans revisited Wright’s offside moment and claimed that VAR lines were drawn over Wan-Bissaka’s toe, instead of drawing it at the end of his boot. One fan even emphatically claimed on X that Coventry were robbed of an all-time FA Cup classic.
Mail Sport reported that a source close to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) revealed to them that the offside decision was in fact correct. The source explained that lines weren’t drawn on Wan-Bissaka’s foot, but rather his foot being close to the line might have given away such an impression.
The margins were so small that Coventry manager Mark Robins even joked after the game that Wright might have been considered onside if he had just cut his toenails.
A Manchester derby in the FA Cup again
For a second year in a row, Manchester giants, City and United, will contest the FA Cup final. Last year, the Sky Blues prevailed 2-1 en route to lifting the treble, with Ilkay Gundogan netting a double on either side of a penalty from Bruno Fernandes. Although their treble hopes were dashed following Champions League exit this week, City remain in the hunt for another domestic double. Meanwhile, the FA Cup is the last hope of silverware for United, who’ve seen a disappointing campaign.
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