James Maddison says something that no other Premier League player has been willing to say about VAR.
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison might face some trouble after saying that referees are “petrified” to make decisions because of VAR.
On Monday night, Tottenham didn’t get a stoppage-time penalty when Maddison, who came on late in the game, fell in the box after a challenge from Leeds forward Lukas Nmecha. Maddison and his teammates believed it was a clear penalty, but the referee Jarred Gillett and VAR disagreed, sparking a big debate afterward.
The Premier League Match Centre said Nmecha touched the ball enough to say no penalty was needed. But Maddison wasn’t convinced. On Tuesday night, he posted on Instagram, saying referees are too scared to make decisions because of VAR.
He wrote, “For clarity… The small, tiny touch on the ball to change direction came from the outside of my right foot, not Nmecha, and I told the ref that. But the check was over in about 20 seconds.” He added, “Officials are petrified to make decisions on pitch now because of VAR. We keep fighting. COYS.”
Maddison also spoke about his return after being out for 12 months with a serious knee injury. He said, “After the longest, toughest 12 months of my life, the reception you Spurs fans gave me yesterday made all the sacrifice & dark days absolutely worth it. Thank you so much. Back where I belong.”
After the game, Spurs boss De Zerbi said referee Jarred Gillett looked “not calm” when asked about the officials’ performance during the 1-1 draw. He said, “I think they were not calm today, maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday’s Arsenal game… For sure, we suffered the pressure today… but also the referee was not calm today.”
About the decision to deny the penalty, De Zerbi was quiet. “No, I don’t want to come inside the polemic,” he said. “I didn’t see. I didn’t watch again. I don’t know.”