Tottenham had a very strong penalty shout ignored by both the referee and the VAR during their trip to Watford on New Year’s Day.
Spurs defender Eric Dier was wrestled to the ground by Watford’s Juraj Kucka, who had been marking him at a set-piece.
The decision to turn down Tottenham’s appeals was met with bafflement.
Many witnesses questioned the purpose of having a VAR if they are not going to intervene for incidents like this.
Another described the challenge by Kucka as “an actual rugby tackle”.
SEE ALSO: (Video) Spurs fan footage captures 90+6min Davinson Sanchez winner at Watford
Watford vs Spurs was the second Premier League game of the day. And VAR had been at the centre of controversy in the first one too.
Earlier in the day, Manchester City had a spot-kick awarded in their favour after a VAR review to help them win 2-1 at 10-man Arsenal, who had an earlier penalty shout of their own turned down.
Juraj Kucka pulls Eric Dier to the ground
How is this not a penalty on dier #WATTOT pic.twitter.com/C8z5WLw5Q7
— george hayford (@georgehayford99) January 1, 2022
How is this not a pen? Clear foul on Dier pic.twitter.com/7jFRVl6LU1
— Hatch (@Jacob_Hatcher) January 1, 2022
Reaction to the incident
? a penalty on Dier there. WTAF is VAR for? #COYS #THFC
— Tanui ?? (@TanuiTHFC) January 1, 2022
How did Dier not get a penalty. Was an actual rugby tackle
— Christian (@Christianjw92) January 1, 2022
The foul on Dier is 100% a penalty, we just seem to have so many obvious ref mistakes go against us
— ???????JJ ?? (@THFC_Thoughts) January 1, 2022
Just saw Dier get pulled down and again, VAR not called into action. Refs are having a day today, aren’t they
— DMG – Daniel (@itsDMGhere) January 1, 2022
There was a worst shirt pulling situation in Spurs game against Watford involving Dier.
Everyone thinks it’s a PK. VAR & Referee isn’t interested.
It didn’t even take 45 mins for the next VAR brain fart.— LEVELS (@ade_adeayo) January 1, 2022
The premier league is being ruined by refereeing inconsistency this season. Had enough of it. Two hands pulling Kanes shirt in the penalty box in plain view of the referee, no foul. Rugby tackle on Dier no check by VAR.
— MW (@mw_thfc) January 1, 2022
Referees today have been terrible. That foul on Eric Dier was a clear penalty, not sure how it isn’t clear and obvious and VAR should have given it
— Hayden Drury (@HJDSports_) January 1, 2022
A penalty was awarded to City earlier in the week for a much lighter tug. Dier was WWF and not even a review. Yet VAR spend time looking thin line thick line to rule of offsides. I am begining to find Howard a little ingenious with his analysis. He sees Edison as a no foul; but Hugo’s as. Never dwell of the tackling of Kane and Dier.