Scott Parker
Fulham manager Scott Parker has lashed out at football’s video assistant referee (VAR) and accused the Newcastle United striker, Callum Wilson, of diving to win a penalty in Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at St. James’ Park.
Fulham took the lead after defender Tosin Adarabioyo’s header struck the post and the ball ricocheted off Matt Ritchie’s face into the net. But Newcastle were awarded a 64th-minute penalty when Wilson was fouled by Joachim Andersen.
Replays showed that initial contact was outside the penalty area, but referee Graham Scott stuck to his original decision after consulting the pitch-side monitor. He sent Anderson off, and Wilson converted the spot kick.
“From what I have just seen, the contact was made outside of the box and then goes into the box and dives,” Parker told Sky Sports on Saturday.
“I don’t know whether the referee is looking at the same angles I am. I just don’t understand. The game has changed drastically and not for the better. It’s a bit of a mess.
“We have got every gimmick, every slo-mo and yet we are still not coming up with the right decision. Sitting here, with everything in place and the way the game is going, and still not coming to the right decisions—it’s criminal for me,” he said.