Andrew Dallas is at heart of a VAR storm after allowing a controversial goal involving PSV star and former Rangers loanee Malik Tillman to stand.
The Scottish official was working alongside Englishman David Coote in the VAR room for UEFA in Eindhoven for the Champions League clash between PSV and Girona, with ex Gers midfielder Tillman squaring off against the Spanish side’s former Aberdeen talisman Bojan Miovski. And with just 15 minutes played at the Philips Stadion, the hosts look the league when a long-throw into the box from Tillman was turned home from close range by centre back Ryan Flamingo.
However, replays suggested that Tillman’s left foot was not touching the ground as he geared up to take the throw, a clear infringement in the phone book. But the incident appeared to be missed on VAR by Coote and Dallas – who was working as Coote’s assistant – and to Girona’s fury the goal was awarded.
Just 17 minutes later PSV capitalised on their advantage by scoring again and this time it was Tillman’s turn to score, finishing off a nice move by charging into the box to find the net at the near post. Former Scotland hero Don Hutchinson was on commentary duty for the game in the Netherlands and was astonished that Dallas and the VAR team were not able to help out on-field referee Michael Oliver by spotting the foul throw.
In a conversation with lead commentator Jacqui Oatley, he said: “It shouldn’t stand Jacqui, it shouldn’t. I’ve got no idea why – because every goal would be checked. I can only think that the VAR operators and David Coote, the lead VAR guy tonight, that he hasn’t checked or hasn’t seen. That should have been a foul throw.
“It’s difficult for Michael Oliver to try and see everything, he’s in a position where he’s trying to spot – when the long throw comes in, where it drops to a potential foul, handball etc so that’s on the VAR team to help the referee there.”
Oatley added: “Well, he’s assisted by Andrew Dallas, so between them they would have had a good look at it, I mean they do check every goal as a matter of course, perhaps it just wasn’t flagged to them.”
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