WHAT A VARCE
Fuming Leicester boss Steve Cooper accuses refs’ chiefs of ‘hiding’ footage that showed they made major VAR error
Foxes boss claims PGMOL overlooked a key piece of evidence
LEICESTER boss Steve Cooper has accused refs’ chiefs of ‘hiding’ footage that showed they made a major error.
Cooper hit out after VAR ruled Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal for Crystal Palace was onside in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with the Foxes.
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Leicester maintained the decision had been made on the basis of the wrong piece of footage — and that the clip released to Match of the Day and Sky Sports was ‘false’.
Cooper said: “It was an awful human error which has been hidden a little bit in the media. That’s been as disappointing as the decision.
“Everything you’ve seen on Match of the Day or Sky has been false. I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t reach the public or the media.
“Don’t hide away from mistakes — own them and stand up for it.”
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Leicester were 2-0 up at Selhurst Park when Mateta scored from Tyrick Mitchell’s cross.
The assistant ref flagged for offside but VAR overturned the decision and gave the goal.
Mateta then levelled with a late penalty.
Cooper claimed: “We’ve seen different images which show that, when they froze the footage for offside, he was.
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“In the meeting we had on Monday with the Premier League, we said we’ve had a massive error go against us.”
Cooper had run-ins with referees’ body the PGMOL during his time as Nottingham Forest manager.
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But he added: “I’ve never had to have a conversation like this before. The referees’ department met us on Monday, it should’ve been Sunday.
“We showed them broadcast footage that’s been nowhere near the media.
“We showed them extra footage, plus some we have, and there’s been no response.”
Cooper said the footage Leicester showed at Monday’s meeting was available to VAR during the game, but was not used.
Everything you’ve seen on Match of the Day or Sky has been false. I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t reach the public or the media.
Steve Cooper
He added: “Errors like that should never happen, particularly when VAR is in place.
“Have the humility to admit you made a mistake. Show the footage, don’t show the wrong footage.
“We can’t release the clips but the Premier League have it as part of our presentation.”
However, it is understood that it was explained by the Premier League to Leicester on Monday - in what has been described as a ‘private’ meeting - that this decision was not a human error, nor was a mistake made.
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Leicester argue that another kick-point - which would have made the decision offside - should have been chosen.
But the Premier League are believed to have told Cooper that this is determined by the VAR before the lines are drawn - and the process followed was correct and entirely consistent with the protocol that is applied in all top flight matches.
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