In Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers had a goal controversially ruled out due to Jonny Otto being deemed offside in the build-up. Supporters weren’t happy with the decision and vented their fury on social media. Wolves thought they’d equalised in the final minute of first-half injury time, but VAR went against them.
Jonny was penalised for the tightest of offside calls and Neto's strike was chalked off by VAR.
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Jonny beat Andrew Robertson to a through ball on the right flank and whipped in a low cross that Pedro Neto converted, but the goal was chalked off despite replays suggesting Jonny’s foot was level with the offside line in the build-up. Supporters felt they’d been cheated out of an equaliser and weren’t shy about giving their opinion on Twitter.
This should have been the moment of Pedro Neto’s young life.
Instead a pathetic, inconsistent, unnecessary system has taken that memory away#wwfc #LIVWOL pic.twitter.com/bYskz0Wb6j
— Nathan Judah (@NathanJudah) December 29, 2019
It’s beyond a joke! Gutting for him, gutting for all of us who love love this club – this has to stop! ☹️
— Olly Stock (@olly_stock) December 29, 2019
VAR is not only robbing us, but the heart and soul of the game.
— Alan Davis (@AlanDavis1893) December 29, 2019
Think they’ll need to re-evaluate the offside rule. Not sure disallowing a goal because of Jonny’s blurry wide foot or Sterling’s armpit hair is really in the spirit of the game. Offside rule wasn’t meant to stop this. Players will stop making runs soon ‘case the ruler comes out.
— Hamza Darby (@hamzadarby) December 29, 2019
Was Jonny seriously given offside because his hand was in an offside position? Since when was that the rule!?
The last 2 games have shown the bias of VAR officials towards the top teams is utterly ridiculous. We should be level if not ahead, thanks VAR!! Ruining the game #wwfc
— michelle (@wellygoggs) December 29, 2019
Wolves’ narrow defeat at Anfield was their fourth of the season and left them seventh in the Premier League table with 30 points from 20 games. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are level on points with Tottenham (4th) and one point adrift of Manchester United (5th) ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Watford.
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Victory on gameweek 21 could see Wolves move to within one place of the Champions League places.