Speaking to OTB, Mark Lawrenson has given his verdict on Rodri’s controversial handball against Everton.
The Toffees put up one hell of a fight against Manchester City at the weekend, and they probably should have gotten something from the game as VAR failed to give a penalty for what was a blatant handball from Rodri.
The decision was so baffling that Lawrenson has claimed that it’s the worst VAR decision he’s ever seen.
What’s been said?
Lawrenson was reviewing Everton vs Man City.
“Obviously at the weekend against Everton they got away with one. That handball decision was just staggering, when you consider that someone is watching all of the angles of the picture of the handball and decided that there’s nothing wrong with it, and that’s probably the worst ever decision VAR has ever made, I can’t think of a worse one,” Lawrenson said.
Worst ever?
Rodri’s handball was bad, but where does it actually rank in terms of the worst ever VAR calls?
Well, there are a few contenders.
The first one that springs to mind is Orjan Nyland’s ghost own goal against Sheffield United in the first game back after lockdown in 2020 where the ball clearly crossed the line, but a goal-line technology malfunction led to no goal being given.
There have also been a number of questionable handball calls. Eric Dier’s handball vs Newcastle last season led to the actual rule being changed on handballs, while Mario Lemina’s so-called infringement against Spurs led to another rule change.
Rodri’s handball was bad, but VAR has led to some absolute clangers in recent years.
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