There were a series of controversial decisions across the FA Cup fourth round this weekend with VAR not in use.
Chelsea, Leicester City and Birmingham City were all affected by VAR-less decisions, with the technology not arriving in the competition until the fifth round.
Last week, the Premier League revealed data which appeared to show the accuracy is improving, stating there had been 13 VAR errors this season which included interventions made and those missed.
The Premier League also claims 100 per cent of offside decisions in the top flight have been correct this season. Leicester were affected by the technology not being able to rule out Harry Maguire’s late header for Manchester United with the defender, along with four other United players, all appearing to be offside.
Birmingham were hit with a double whammy with no VAR or goal-line technology, after seeing Newcastle equalise with a goal that was questionable as to whether it had crossed the line fully, whilst Chelsea’s appeals for handball against Brighton were not able to be checked.
Manchester United scrape through with offside winner
Harry Maguire appeared to be offside for his 90+3' winning goal for Man United vs. Leicester.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 7, 2025
VAR isn't used in the fourth round of the FA Cup. pic.twitter.com/6NGPbMJZtc
It was just another day at Old Trafford, with Manchester United struggling in a match that on paper, they should win comfortably. United rallied to score two late goals, but their injury-time winner should have been ruled out. Maguire headed in Bruno Fernandes’ free kick, but appeared noticeably offside, something that was missed by the linesman. In an interview with ITV Sport after the match, Foxes boss said: “We were not defeated in Fergie time, we are defeated in offside time.”
Newcastle win after questionable goal
"You cannot say that this is a goal." 😬
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 8, 2025
Do you agree with Rob Green? Were Newcastle lucky? #FACup pic.twitter.com/etu1vf1fXX
Newcastle progressed to the fifth round, but not without controversy of their own. Birmingham goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell thought he had made a brilliant save to deny Joe Willock from close range, but with no VAR present and no goal-line technology in use, due to the Blues being below the Championship, the assistant referee flagged the ball had crossed the line despite having a very difficult angle of the incident.
Chelsea out after handball incident for Brighton winner
Kaoruuuuuuuuuuuu 🇯🇵@OfficialBHAFC's star shows his quality with a beautiful finish#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/1bmvZUXZWG
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
Chelsea’s hopes of winning at least one domestic cup this season is over after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton. The Blues will feel aggrieved by how the Seagulls winner came about, with Kaoru Mitoma coming from a blocked shot ricocheting off former Chelsea youth player Tariq Lamptey’s arm. This led to Enzo Maresca claiming football is “complicated” without VAR.
Man City progress but not without controversy
JAMIE DONLEY. THAT'S INCREDIBLE. 🤯
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 8, 2025
The @SpursOfficial loanee with an incredible effort from distance that ends up in the net to give @leytonorientfc the opening goal against Manchester City 😱#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/bHnKg92Q2y
Manchester City progressed after coming from behind to beat League One side Leyton Orient and the hosts’ opener, scored by Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley, maybe should not have counted. New City signing Nico Gonzalez was bundled off the ball aggressively, with the Spanish midfielder having to be subbed off injured shortly after. Donley fired from just inside City’s half with the ball cannoning off keeper Stefan Ortega.
Blackburn denied chance to advance
Blackburn Rovers thought they had the lead over Wolves, but it's ruled out for offside.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 9, 2025
No VAR in the fourth round of the #FACup. pic.twitter.com/c8JjD0vxsW
Wolves advanced in comfortable fashion, with Joao Gomes and Matheus Cunha scoring to send Vitor Pereira’s side into the draw for the next round. However Championship side Blackburn will feel they were on the receiving end of two incorrect calls that VAR would have probably overturned. Dom Hyam had a header ruled out for offside, which was too close to call and without VAR, the original decision stood. The main controversy came in the first half when Augustus Kargbo was brought down in the penalty area by Emmanuel Agbadou, but Lewis Smith decided to book the Rovers forward for simulation.
