FA Cup: Lack of video assistant referee technology felt in fourth round

Football fans have become accustomed to debating the use of technology in the game over recent years – but in the FA Cup fourth round, its absence has provided a frequent talking point.

With video assistant referee technology only in use from the fifth round onwards this season, there have been a number of controversial incidents to dissect.

And after incidents on Friday and Saturday, there was another on Sunday when Dominic Hyam’s header was disallowed for offside in Blackburn’s defeat by Wolves – when replays suggested he was onside.

“My initial thought was they’ll check that,” said ex-Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It looks extremely tight. If there was VAR they’d be drawing the lines.”

Some liked VAR’s absence, such as Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, whose side might have had their winner against Chelsea disallowed for a Tariq Lamptey handball.

“But that’s it. That’s football,” he told BBC Sport. “With VAR, football is getting not that emotional like it was today.

“Everyone agrees with me that today was a great atmosphere. You can celebrate a goal because you are certain it’s a goal. I’m happy it was like that.”

Some were less convinced, including his Chelsea counterpart Enzo Maresca – whose side might still be in the FA Cup with VAR.

“I think the handball is quite clear. In the last two or three days, there were many different moments in different games that, without VAR, sometimes are more complicated,” said Maresca.

However he added: “Sometimes even with VAR, you never know if it’s [going to be given as] handball or not. I don’t know. This season we saw so many handballs and the VAR was not there.”

Even Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admitted Harry Maguire’s dramatic late winner against Leicester City in the round’s first tie on Friday was offside and should not have stood.

There were several further high-profile incidents at the weekend, and there are still two games to be played over the next two days.

So, what’s going on with VAR in the FA Cup – and why?