Leeds star lashes out at VAR after controversial disallowed goal

The infuriating Leeds United front-man burst out at new changes applied to the VAR. Here’s what he had to say after the game.

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford hit out at VAR after a contentious decision to disallow his goal against Crystal Palace. Marcelo Bielsa’s side consequently suffered from a 4-1 defeat to the Eagles in the Premier League. The raged Leeds frontman also mentioned that the new regulations are ruining the game of football.

Although the Whites ultimately lost the fixture at Selhurst Park, Bamford could have potentially equalized from his disallowed attempt. But the final VAR verdict went against Leeds to rule out the Englishman’s clever dink past Vicente Guaita. And the video footage showed that Patrick’s arm was offside, therefore leading to no-goal.

Patrick Bramford offside because of the change in the handball law. Because you can now pay the ball with the top part of your arm the outstretched arm played him offside. This was onside last season to the armpit. #CRYLEE pic.twitter.com/EezUHdxIYQ
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) November 7, 2020

There have been changes to the regulations of VAR in this new season. Where any part of the body which aids the player to score a goal is ruled out as a foul.

“I don’t understand the rule,” Bamford told the BBC. “You can’t score with your arm. It doesn’t make sense. It’s happened with me today but I’ve seen it on numerous occasions.

“It’s ruining football. You want to see goals. To have it ruled out for something like that is daft.

💬 "It could have been a different game" Patrick Bamford reflects on his disallowed goal today pic.twitter.com/y0nTZha1Za
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 7, 2020

“Even the referee couldn’t make sense of it. When the players and the officials can’t make sense of it… does it make sense?”

On the other hand, though, Bielsa refused to discuss the issue. He told BBC: “I never discuss a referee’s decision.”

“Today the performance was better than against Leicester,” he said. “Palace had a good game plan and we were a bit sloppy. We didn’t move the ball quick enough. The international break has come at the right time. You can look back at the first eight games and think it’s been a solid start.”