West Brom manager Sam Allardyce calls for VAR overhaul after 'human error' against Southampton

Mbaye Diagne thought he had scored the opener for the Baggies in the fourth minute but his header was ruled out for offside

Powered by automated translation

West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce has called for an overhaul of of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system after his team were controversially denied a goal in Monday's 3-0 Premier League victory over Southampton.

Mbaye Diagne thought he had scored the opener for the Baggies in the fourth minute but his header was ruled out for offside. The VAR system was unable to draw a conclusion and stuck with the on-field decision.

Asked by reporters if he thought the system was in danger of becoming a laughing stock, Allardyce said: "I'm afraid so.

"... The decision was wrong. We got the angle - there are 16 cameras at least here and we got the angle clear on our screens - they came to the wrong decision because of human error."

VAR was brought into the league last season but has faced a barrage of criticism from managers, players, pundits and supporters following a number of contentious calls. The growing concern about the time to make decisions and the precision with which offsides are judged has also come under scrutiny.

On Sunday, Manchester United were furious after being denied a goal at Tottenham Hotspur following the intervention of VAR, with Scott McTominay deemed to have fouled Son Heung-min in the build-up.

Allardyce said the input of all of the game's stakeholders was required during a review of the system to prevent any further controversy.

"The reflection on VAR can be done at the end of the season and all parties should have an influential input into how VAR goes forward," Allardyce said.

"That needs to be from the Professional Footballers' Association, League Managers Association, Premier League and the Football Association.

"There are too many of us not being given an opportunity to express how to make it better."

West Brom recovered from the Diagne setback to sweep into a two-goal lead by half time thanks to Matheus Pereira's penalty and a Matt Phillips strike.

Callum Robinson sealed West Brom's second successive win after the interval as the Baggies built on their stunning 5-2 victory at Chelsea.

West Brom are still deep in relegation trouble despite their second consecutive win.

The Baggies are 19th in the table on 24 points, eight points from safety with seven games remaining.