Wolves have star SENT OFF by VAR in Klopp’s final Liverpool game days after filing motion to have it scrapped
NELSON SEMEDO was sent off for a late tackle on Alexis Mac Allister in Wolves’ final-day clash with Liverpool.
Referee Chris Kavanagh originally gave a yellow card but upgraded the punishment after being asked to check the monitor by the VAR.
The Reds are trying to send Jurgen Klopp out on a high as the German leaves after eight-and-a-half years at the helm.
And their chances were boosted by the red.
Mac Allister scored just eight minutes later and Jarell Quansah made it 2-0 five minutes before the break.
“No complaints. Abysmal challenge from Semedo,” said one fan on X.
Another added: “I think its an orange card, but what I’d say is that I’d find it impossible to believe the decision would have been overturned if it was Macallister on Semedo rather than the other way around.
“Maybe I’m just paranoid/disillusioned though.”
Top-flight sides are set to vote on whether or not to continue using the video assistants following a complaint from Wolves.
According to The Athletic, the club have formally submitted a resolution to the Premier League calling for VAR to be scrapped.
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In doing so, Wolves have triggered a vote from the 20 clubs on June 6.
A statement from Wolves reads: “There is no blame to be placed — we are all just looking for the best possible outcome for football — and all stakeholders have been working hard to try and make the introduction of additional technology a success.
“However, after five seasons of VAR in the Premier League, it is time for a constructive and critical debate on its future.
“Our position is that the price we are paying for a small increase in accuracy is at odds with the spirit of our game, and as a result we should remove it from the 2024/25 season onwards.”
The club added that they accept the decision to introduce VAR was “made in good faith” and “with the best interests of football and the Premier League at its heart”.
Wolves' VAR complaints
Wolves have listed nine negative repercussions from the introduction of VAR in their complaint.
- Impact on goal celebrations and the spontaneous passion that makes football special
- Frustration and confusion inside stadiums due to lengthy VAR checks and poor communication
- A more hostile atmosphere with protests, booing of the Premier League anthem and chants against VAR
- Overreach of VAR’s original purpose to correct clear and obvious mistakes, now overanalysing subjective decisions and compromising the game’s fluidity and integrity
- Diminished accountability of on-field officials, due to the safety net of VAR, leading to an erosion of authority on the pitch
- Continued errors despite VAR, with supporters unable to accept human error after multiple views and replays, damaging confidence in officiating standards
- Disruption of the Premier League’s fast pace with lengthy VAR checks and more added time, causing matches to run excessively long
- Constant discourse about VAR decisions often overshadowing the match itself, and tarnishing the reputation of the league
- Erosion of trust and reputation, with VAR fuelling completely nonsensical allegations of corruption
However, they now argue the practice has caused “numerous negative consequences”.
Wolves also claim those consequences are “damaging the relationship between fans and football” as well as “undermining the value of the Premier League brand”.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Premier League said: “The Premier League can confirm it will facilitate a discussion on VAR with our clubs at the annual general meeting next month.
“Clubs are entitled to put forward proposals at shareholders’ meetings and we acknowledge the concerns and issues around the use of VAR.
“However, the league fully supports the use of VAR and remains committed, alongside PGMOL, to make continued improvements to the system for the benefit of the game and fans.”
VAR: The great debate
Martin Lipton’s pro VAR view
FAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.
After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.
A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.
And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.
Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker.
It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.
But it’s OK. Every one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”
Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you.
Dan King’s anti VAR view
THREE cheers and a hearty slap on the back for Wolves chairman Jeff Shi.
For mentioning the unmentionable, for speaking commonsense to deaf ears, for proposing that VAR should be scrapped.
Shi is doomed to failure. His suggestion is unlikely to even go to a vote at next month’s Premier League AGM.
And if it does get that far, it has a cat in hell’s chance of receiving the two-thirds majority required to carry such a radical proposal.
But in one statement on Wednesday, Shi proved that he will be the brightest man in that meeting room.
He claimed VAR ‘has led to numerous unintended negative consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football, and undermining the value of the Premier League brand’.
And he is absolutely spot on.
The argument against VAR is wide-ranging and yet completely basic.
If you believe that football is a sport, to be enjoyed in all its spontaneous, high-tempo glory, then you are against VAR.
If you believe that football is a business, that it is far more important than a mere game, that forensic evidence must be applied, that we must reach the closest point to ultimate justice at all costs — and if you also believe that match-going supporters are irrelevant — then you are in favour of VAR.