Another weekend of Premier League football, another VAR controversy that has left fans and experts scratching their heads. This time, Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo found himself at the centre of what many are calling "the worst VAR decision of the season".
Incident That Shocked the Premier League
During Bournemouth's clash with Crystal Palace, Semenyo appeared to be clearly fouled in the penalty area by Palace defender Joachim Andersen. Replays showed Andersen making no contact with the ball while clearly impeding Semenyo's progress - a textbook penalty by any measure.
VAR's Baffling Decision
Despite the obvious nature of the foul, VAR official Michael Salisbury astonishingly failed to recommend an on-field review. The decision stood, leaving Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola "visibly furious" on the touchline and pundits in the studio equally perplexed.
Fallout From the Controversy
The incident has reignited the debate about VAR's inconsistent application in the Premier League:
- Former referee Mark Clattenburg called it "indefensible"
- Sky Sports pundits spent 15 minutes analysing the "clear error"
- Social media exploded with criticism of the officials
This latest controversy comes just weeks after PGMOL chief Howard Webb promised improvements in VAR decision-making. For Bournemouth fans, those promises ring hollow after this costly officiating error that may have denied their team crucial points.
