Why VAR was not is use for Manchester United vs Leicester as Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts to controversy

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·7. Februar 2025

Why VAR was not is use for Manchester United vs Leicester as Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts to controversy

The FA issued a statement earlier in the season

VAR was not in operation during the Manchester United vs Leicester FA Cup fourth round tie at Old Trafford.

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Harry Maguire scored in injury time to break his former club's hearts as the holders came from behind to advance to round five.

However, there was controversy with regards to the winning goal.

As Maguire climbed highest to meet Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick, replays showed the central defender appeared to have strayed into an offside position just as the ball was struck.

Had this been a Premier League fixture, for example, the goal most likely would not have stood and the FA Cup tie would have gone into extra-time.

The reason VAR was not in operation at Old Trafford is because the technology will not feature in the competition until the next round.

"Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup from the Fifth Round onwards," the FA confirmed in a statement.

"It has been agreed that VAR will be utilised for every match in the Fifth Round of the competition through to the Final at Wembley Stadium, and will not be in operation for the Third and Fourth Rounds.

"VAR has only been used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation.

"This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition."

This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition

The FA

Speaking after the game, Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy said: “We are not defeated in Fergie time, we are defeated in offside time. This wasn’t necessary, VAR you have for a couple of centimetres or a couple of inches.

“This was half a metre, or clear in line. That’s a hard one to take because the team deserved the draw in the end, the extra-time, stay in the game and you never know what happens. It was a very good team performance.

“Decisions like this at our level are hard to swallow.”