Andy Gray was astonished that VAR took two minutes to make a “blatantly obvious” decision as Everton drew 1-1 with Luton Town on 3 May.
Speaking on beIN Sports alongside Richard Keys, Gray fumed at the lengthy delay and said that the Premier League’s use of VAR was “nonsense.”
Everton were awarded a first-half penalty which Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted, but Elijah Adebayo equalised for Luton just seven minutes later at Kenilworth Road.
With Keys questioning why a penalty wasn’t given for Teden Mengi’s later challenge on Dwight McNeil, Gray replied: “Well, because it’s a matter of opinion, that’s why. You and I just have a different opinion, that’s the problem.
“VAR was supposed to give us uniformity, and we wouldn’t have a debate because the decision would be agreed by everybody – it’s nonsense.”
On another incident, Gray said: “If we’d been in Europe, they would’ve just got on with the game, but we waited two minutes to find out something that was blatantly obvious.”
Everton denied potential winner v Luton after VAR confusion
Everton faced Luton at Kenilworth Road off the back of three straight Premier League victories, and having pulled well clear of the relegation-threatened Hatters in the process.
Four wins from five matches in April has seen the Toffees secure safety, but Sean Dyche’s side still couldn’t shake off their troubles away from home, losing 6-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this month and being unable to find a second goal against lowly Luton last night.
Saturday wouldn't be Saturday without @richardajkeys
& Andy Gray having a hearty debate about VAR and refereeing decisions…#beINPL #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/6OPTnaR1qs
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 4, 2024
Had Mengi’s challenge in the box been awarded as a penalty by either the on-field officials or VAR, Everton could well have won the game easily, but despite the Luton defender appearing to stand directly on McNeil’s foot, no spot-kick was given.
VAR has certainly become a talking point in almost every Premier League game since its introduction, but Everton, after playing three matches within seven days the previous week, will be happy enough with another point which takes them another step further away from the bottom three.
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