VAR-CICAL
‘Ref has forgotten about VAR!’ says Hoddle as penalty against Spurs overturned seconds before kick in bizarre scenes
The incident was truly baffling as fans echoed Hoddle's comments
GLENN HODDLE says the referee "forgot about VAR" before he overturned a penalty in Tottenham's Europa League clash against Hoffenheim.
Morten Krogh awarded the Germans a 64th minute spot-kick after he deemed Spurs stopper Brandon Austin to have fouled Max Moerstedt.
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The Danish official gave a pen as he judged Austin to have struck Moerstedt in the face as he tried to intercept Kevin Akpoguma's deflected cross.
Hoffenheim hitman Andrej Kramaric was all set to take the resulting spot kick until the VAR instructed Krogh to review the incident on the monitor.
That prompted TNT Sports pundit and Spurs legend Hoddle to say: "As the ball springs over the top Brandon Austin has the right to dive, there's contact.
"But I'm not sure what the goalkeeper is supposed to do. I think it's a 50-50.”
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He continued: "The referee has forgot about VAR for a moment.
"Brandon Austin just gets a little touch on it, which might be his saving grace."
After seeing Austin touched the ball before his hand hit Moerstedt, Krogh reversed his decision and the booking he dished out.
Hoddle said of the call: "I think that's the right decision. Plus he doesn't get the booking.
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"The booking's been taken off Austin as well."
A relieved Austin tried to shake hands with the ref after the decision was overturned.
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But he was snubbed by the official, much to the enjoyment of Hoddle.
He said: "He thought he was gonna shake his hands there.
"The referee went for the ball and he went to shake hands for the referee."
Tottenham narrowly escaped the PreZero Arena with all three points, running out 3-2 winners in their penultimate group match.
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