Where are you? Wow. It is so, so bad

VAR Criticism from Emery After Europa League Semi-Final

Where are you Wow It is so – Unai Emery, the manager of Aston Villa, found himself in a state of exasperation following his team’s 1-0 loss in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest. The Spanish coach, who has secured five European titles with Spanish clubs, expressed his frustration with the video assistant referee (VAR) system, accusing it of failing to make a decisive call in a pivotal moment of the match.

The controversy arose during a first-half challenge involving Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. Anderson, a midfielder, intercepted Watkins but then appeared to catch his ankle with a high, studs-up tackle. Despite the clear nature of the incident, the referee, Joao Pinheiro, did not award a red card. The VAR review, which occurred only briefly, failed to intervene, leaving Emery visibly shaken. “The referee did a fantastic job, 10 out of 10,” he admitted in a post-match interview, but his admiration quickly turned to anger as he replayed the footage.

“Wow. It is so, so bad. VAR is responsible. It was so clear for everybody to see. He could break his ankle.”

Emery’s indignation reached a peak as he addressed the media after the game, emphasizing that the VAR system had let him down. “The referee, fantastic, fantastic job, 90 minutes of management—no complaints,” he said. “But after watching it back, it is the VAR’s responsibility. A clear red card was missed, and that’s a huge mistake.” His frustration was palpable, with repeated emphasis on the system’s failure to act decisively, even as the match continued.

Meanwhile, the VAR did make a significant intervention later in the game, awarding a penalty to Forest. Chris Wood converted the spot-kick, sealing the victory for the hosts. While Emery acknowledged the decision, his focus remained on the earlier missed call. “The penalty I didn’t watch—everyone is telling me it’s a penalty,” he added, highlighting the inconsistency he perceived in the VAR’s application.

A Moment of Clarity and a Question of Fairness

The incident that sparked Emery’s outburst was particularly dramatic. Anderson’s tackle on Watkins, though successful in winning the ball, left the Aston Villa striker in a vulnerable position. Replays showed that Anderson’s foot had made contact with Watkins’s ankle, raising concerns about the potential for injury. “One action like that can break his ankle,” Emery said, his voice trembling with frustration. “VAR makes sense if they are fair. What is your opinion? Wow.”

“It is a clear red card—I don’t understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so clear. It’s a huge, huge mistake. VAR has a huge responsibility and he must give us an explanation. It is crazy!”

Emery’s criticism was not limited to the referee’s decision. He argued that the VAR, which is meant to assist in making accurate calls, had failed to intervene promptly. “The ref can’t watch it like me,” he said. “He was the only person in the stadium who couldn’t take his time.” This sentiment underscores the tension between the human element of refereeing and the technological precision expected from VAR.

Emery’s Past Praise for VAR: A Shift in Perspective?

Despite his recent outburst, Emery has long been a vocal supporter of the VAR system. In October 2023, he praised its role in football, stating, “I’m always positive with VAR. I think it is good for football. It helps the referee always.” However, the December 2024 incident against Newcastle United, where Jhon Duran was sent off, revealed a slight shift in his tone. “Always I am supporting VAR, but you have to use it,” he remarked at the time. “Today the red card was clear for the referee straight away. He was the only person in the stadium who couldn’t take his time.”

Emery’s current frustration, therefore, appears to stem from a perceived inconsistency in how VAR is applied. While he acknowledges its value, he insists that the system must be more reliable in critical moments. “In football, I work 20 years as a coach. Sometimes decisions are tight,” he said. “But one action like that, there is no doubt. Where is VAR?” This question echoes through the sports community, as fans and analysts debate the balance between human judgment and technological oversight.

The Impact of VAR on Match Outcomes and Player Safety

The missed red card and the subsequent penalty decision highlight the growing influence of VAR on match outcomes and player safety. Emery’s insistence that “Ollie Watkins was close to breaking his ankle” raises concerns about the system’s ability to protect athletes from dangerous challenges. While the VAR did correct an earlier mistake, its failure to act on the first incident left the coach questioning its reliability.

Emery’s reaction also reflects the broader scrutiny of VAR in high-stakes competitions. The Europa League, a prestigious tournament, has become a testing ground for the system’s effectiveness. His passionate outbursts, both in the immediate aftermath of the game and during the press conference, underscore the emotional toll of such decisions. For a manager with a distinguished career, the gap between perceived fairness and actual enforcement is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Astounding Replays and a Coach’s Dilemma

As the match progressed, Emery’s analysis of the replayed footage revealed a stark contrast between his on-field observations and the VAR’s decision-making. “I watched the action of Anderson on Watkins, and the referee did a fantastic job,” he said, acknowledging the referee’s performance but emphasizing the VAR’s role in the final verdict. “But after watching it again, it is the VAR responsibility. It is a huge mistake—huge, huge mistake.”

“VAR is responsible. It is not fair. He could break his ankle. The VAR makes sense if they are fair. What is your opinion? Wow.”

Emery’s frustration was compounded by the fact that the VAR had not given the referee the necessary time to review the tackle. “The ref can’t watch it like me,” he said, his frustration evident. “One action like that can break his ankle. Where is VAR?” This sentiment reflects the growing pressure on VAR to act swiftly and decisively, even in the most contentious moments.

The episode has sparked a wider conversation about the role of VAR in modern football. While its introduction was intended to reduce errors and ensure fair play, incidents like this reveal the challenges of balancing speed with accuracy. For Emery, the system’s failure to catch a clear red card represents a failure in its purpose. “I respect the referees always,” he said, “but VAR, I don’t understand. It is not fair.”

As the semi-final continues, the focus remains on how VAR decisions shape the narrative of matches. Emery’s impassioned rants, though directed at the technology, highlight the human element that remains essential in football. For now, the Spaniard’s plea for clarity and fairness echoes through the stadium, a reminder that even the most advanced systems are not infallible.

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