“How they can say this isn’t a goalscoring opportunity, it’s absolutely pathetic.” — Ian Wright
MIRROR
Wayne Rooney slammed the Football Association (FA) and called for the removal of VAR after Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson escaped a red card during the FA Cup final. Henderson’s handball outside his box, which was missed by referee Stuart Attwell, prompted a VAR review. However, officials ruled Erling Haaland’s movement made the handball only a “possible” goal-scoring opportunity, not an “obvious” one, meaning Henderson was not sent off.
At halftime, with Palace leading 1-0, Rooney said on the BBC: “It’s 100 per cent red card, how can they get this wrong?… Just get rid of VAR. It’s rubbish.” Arsenal legend Ian Wright also criticised the decision as “absolutely pathetic,” while ex-City defender Joleon Lescott called it “one of the worst decisions he’s ever seen.”
Henderson later saved a penalty and kept Palace’s lead intact, intensifying debate over the controversial ruling.