Burnley FC manager Scott Parker has voiced strong concerns over the influence of VAR following his side’s dramatic 4-3 defeat to Brentford FC, insisting the technology is stripping emotion from the game.
In a rollercoaster contest at Turf Moor, Burnley produced a spirited comeback from 3-0 down to level at 3-3.
However, momentum swung late on amid two controversial VAR calls that ultimately derailed the Clarets’ fightback.First, Zian Flemming saw a bundled finish ruled out for a marginal offside decision.
Then, after Mikkel Damsgaard restored Brentford’s lead in stoppage time, Ashley Barnes had an equaliser disallowed for accidental handball. The dramatic sequence left Parker visibly frustrated at full-time.
“I think football is better without VAR and that is just my view. It removed the raw emotions of the game and the celebrations,” said Parker.
“I think the facts are the facts, however long it takes you just have to get the facts right with VAR. It suggests to me that we are not sure and we are just passing it on to another guy who makes the decision.”
The result leaves Burnley deep in relegation trouble in the Premier League.
With just one win in their last 19 league outings, the Clarets sit second from bottom, eight points adrift of safety with 10 matches remaining.
Nevertheless, Parker believes the performance, particularly in the second half, offers reasons for optimism.
“The weekend’s game was a mix between a real poor part in the start and a second half which was a really impressive, incredible performance,” he added.
“We fell short on a couple of decisions. Generally it is mixed. The way the game ended we can take great positives from. The lads are in a good place.”
Despite the mounting pressure in the survival race, Parker confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns within his squad.
As the run-in gathers pace, Burnley will look to channel the fighting spirit shown against Brentford into vital points on the board, though the debate over VAR’s role in the modern game is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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