Football fans have become accustomed to discussing the use of technology in the game in recent years, but in the fourth round of the FA Cup, its absence has provided a frequent conversation issue.
With the video assistant referee technology only in use from the fifth round onwards this season, there have been a series of controversial incidents to dissect.
Some liked the absence of VAR, such as Brighton’s boss, Fabian Hurzeler, whose side could have had his winner against Chelsea not allowed by a Tariq Lamptey handball.
“But that’s all. That’s football,” he told BBC Sport. “With VAR, football is not becoming as emotional as it was today.
“Everyone agrees to me that today it was a great atmosphere. You can celebrate a goal because you are sure that it is a goal. I am happy that it was so.”
Some were less convinced, including their Chelsea Enzo Maresca counterpart, whose side could be in the FA Cup with Var.
“I think the handball is quite clear. In the last two or three days, there were many different moments in different games that, without VAR, are sometimes more complicated,” said Maresca.
However, he added: “Sometimes even with Var, you never know if it is [going to be given as] handball or not. I don’t know. This season we saw so many balls and the VAR was not there. “
Even Manchester United’s boss, Ruben Amorim, admitted the dramatic late winner of Harry Maguire against Leicester City in the first round of the round on Friday was out of play and should not have stopped.
There were several high profile incidents during Saturday’s games, and there are still five games to play in the next three days.
So what is happening with Var in the FA Cup and why?
