Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has openly criticized the referee following a controversial VAR decision that overturned a penalty initially awarded to his team. Watkins described the referee’s conduct as “unprofessional” and expressed frustration at how the situation was handled. The incident occurred during a key moment in the match, when Watkins appeared to be fouled in the box. The referee pointed to the spot, awarding a penalty, but after a VAR review, the decision was reversed.
According to VAR officials, the reversal was made on what they described as “factual grounds,” implying that clear evidence showed no foul had taken place. However, this explanation has not satisfied many in the football community. Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett also weighed in, expressing serious doubts about the justification for the overturn. He argued that the decision lacked transparency and that the referee appeared to rely too heavily on VAR rather than his own judgment.
The controversy has sparked renewed debate over the use of VAR in football, especially in relation to how subjective incidents are reviewed. Watkins’ strong comments reflect growing frustration among players who feel that VAR is disrupting the flow of the game and leading to inconsistent officiating.
