Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom expressed his frustration with referee Jarred Gillett and the inconsistency in refereeing decisions after his team’s late defeat to Premier League leaders Manchester City. Heckingbottom believed that City’s penalty might not have been given in a different match and questioned the effectiveness of VAR.
In an interview, Heckingbottom stated, “I wasn’t pleased with the refereeing. The fact that our first free-kick came in the 56th minute is embarrassing. I have reviewed some of the decisions, and they are really poor.”
Heckingbottom also raised concerns about the use of VAR, saying, “My initial thought on the penalty was that it hit the arm, but what’s the point of having VAR if the same decisions aren’t consistent every week? We need clarity on where we are heading with it all. If they want limited impact from VAR, then it should only be used for offside calls. We need consistency, especially for crucial game-changing decisions.”
Heckingbottom emphasized the importance of having clear and consistent decisions in the game, stating, “We just want the same decisions to be given. It is vital to know the laws of the game. We have had three games and already witnessed inconsistent decisions.”
Sheffield United came close to securing a draw thanks to Jayden Bogle’s late goal, but Phil Foden’s introduction from the bench gave Manchester City the win. City manager Pep Guardiola was absent due to back surgery, and his stand-in, Juanma Lillo, expressed his desire for Guardiola’s return, saying, “I much prefer being with Pep, especially when it comes to health matters. I don’t enjoy this at all.”
Lillo also praised Erling Haaland’s mentality, despite missing a penalty, stating, “Today would’ve been difficult for any striker in the first half. The penalty situation was frustrating for anyone, but Erling’s mental strength is admirable. He knows that his chance will come.”
Overall, Heckingbottom’s frustrations with refereeing inconsistency and the use of VAR were evident, highlighting the need for greater clarity and consistency in decision-making.
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