There would have been an ‘outcry’ if Crystal Palace had a similarly ‘outrageous’ VAR decision awarded against them in the FA Cup Final, but fans and pundits did not stand up for Manchester City because it would have spoilt a great underdog story, Chris Sutton has told Ian Ladyman on the latest ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ podcast.
Palace defeated City 1-0 in a contentious FA Cup final. Midfielder Eberchi Eze scored the game’s only goal, and the club won its first major trophy in its 119-year history.
Former Manchester United Goalkeeper Dean Henderson should probably have been sent off after denying Erling Haaland a goalscoring opportunity by handling the ball outside the penalty area.
The on-field decision not to award a foul was reviewed by VAR, but somehow Henderson managed to stay on the pitch.
Chris Sutton called the decision ‘scandalous’ and told Mail Football Editor Ian Ladyman that if a similar decision had been awarded against underdogs Palace, there would have been ‘outcry’ in the media.
The former player and pundit told the podcast: ‘That was one of the most scandalous VAR decisions I have ever seen.
Crystal Palace defeated Manchester City 1-0 in a contentious FA Cup final
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson should probably have been sent off after denying Erling Haaland a goalscoring opportunity by handling the ball outside the penalty area
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‘It’s ridiculous – I don’t know how VAR doubted that Erling Haaland, who’s set to break every goalscoring record there is in the Premier League, would have missed that opportunity.
‘They turned a call that should never have been subjective into a subjective call. I am glad though; at the way it turned out.
‘If the shoe had been on the other foot and that was Ortega for Manchester City and they had gone on to win the final – don’t you think there would’ve been a real, real outcry.’
Co-host Ladyman agreed with Sutton, saying that fans and the media were more willing to ignore the ‘injustice’ of the decision for the sake of Palace’s ‘great underdog story’.
‘I agree with you – because Palace gave us this great underdog story, we’re more than happy to overlook the fact that there might have been an injustice in the game.
‘Much more so than if it had been the established elite club that benefited from the decision.
‘I think the back pages would have been full of Crystal Palace calling foul – rather than glory, glory Palace.’
Ian Ladyman: ‘Is Haaland going towards goal or away from goal? If there’s any element of doubt, I don’t think VAR can overrule.’ Listen here
Should Oliver Glasner leave Crystal Palace for Spurs? Click here to listen to the latest ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ podcast
However, Ladyman disagreed with the ‘widespread condemnation’ over the Hendeson decision – arguing that there was too much doubt over whether the goalkeeper stopped a clear goalscoring opportunity to award an immediate red card.
‘When you watch it back, yes Henderson is outside the area’, Ladyman began.
‘But is Haaland going towards goal or away from goal? If there’s any element of doubt, I don’t think VAR can overrule. Remember, it has to be clear and obvious – a clear referring mistake.
‘I have watched it back several times, and I keep thinking about that Haaland first touch – I don’t know where he was taking the ball.’
To listen to Sutton and Ladyman’s fiery FA Cup Final debate in full, search for ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ now, wherever you get your podcasts.
