Stevenage boss Steve Evans has echoed Ian Evatt’s calls for VAR to be introduced in the Football League.
Evans felt his side were denied a “clearly onside goal” during their defeat against Blackpool over the weekend when Jamie Reid had the ball in the net. It would have got Stevenage back on level terms but the Seasiders went on to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory at Bloomfield Road.
“It looked clearly onside,” he told the club website. “The assistant referee flagged terribly late, so the entire team was celebrating.
“The video replay clearly shows it onside and once again, we are on the wrong end of a really poor decision, just like away at Bolton last week.
“The head of referees at the EFL has already looked at the video footage and first thing this morning, he rang me to apologise refutably.
“We seem to be on the wrong end of these big decisions this season, I struggle to find it a coincidence. The EFL needs VAR at the earliest opportunity as the officiating is not at the level it needs to be.
“I read last week that Emma Hayes at Chelsea FC Women called for VAR in the Women’s Super League, and I completely support her case.
“It is frustrating to work all week and consistently watch very poor decisions like yesterday have such an impact”.
Evatt has been a vocal supporter of the introduction of technology to assist officials over the past couple of seasons.
Earlier this year, he told The Bolton News: “Football should be equal throughout. We know there is a huge amount of money at the top of the game, but it is equally important at this level.
“It means just as much as it does to any Premier League team, so why can’t we be consistent across the board?
“I keep saying there is enough finance in the game for us to be able to have VAR, for every division of elite football in the pyramid. There is no doubt in my mind.
“It is almost like we are giving the Premier League more importance than the other leagues.
“The Championship are alright because they have the goal-line stuff but they are not allowed VAR – come on – this is equally as important to get right as any Premier League team, so let’s be consistent across the board.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel