VAR labelled an ‘absolute shambles’ for disallowing late Juventus winner against Salernitana

The VAR decision to disallow Juventus’ dramatic late winner against Salernitana on Sunday has been labelled an ‘absolute shambles’ after TV cameras appeared to show that Leonardo Bonucci was actually comfortably onside.

Juventus fell two goals behind in the first half against their unfancied opponents, but came roaring back after the break through goals from Bremer and Bonucci. They then thought they had grabbed a last-minute winner when Arkadiusz Milik flicked home a header from a corner, but Bonucci was adjudged to have been offside and interfering with play.

The incident led to chaotic scenes at the Allianz Stadium, with Milik being sent off for over-celebrating – only for the goal to be disallowed – while Juan Cuadrado and Salernitana’s Federico Fazio were both given their marching orders after getting into a scuffle. Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri was also removed from the touchline.

Sky Italia cameras showed that Antonio Candreva was playing Leonardo Bonucci onside by some distance

The game finished 2-2, but it has since emerged that Juventus’ goal should have stood as Sky Italia cameras picked up that Bonucci was being played onside by Antonio Candreva by over half a metre. Presenter Adriano Del Monte was stunned that such an obvious error had been made by VAR.

‘This image is wild. Juventus denied a last minute winner after this was clearly missed by VAR. Absolute shambles,’ he wrote on Twitter alongside an image of Bonucci being clearly onside.

Journalist James Horncastle was also left staggered by the decision to chalk off Milik’s goal.

‘Remarkable to think the VAR + ref forgot about Candreva who seems to be playing Bonucci onside by 50cm. One of the biggest mistakes I can remember since introduction of VAR. Incredible when you think there’ll be semi-automated offside tech at same ground for CL this week,’ he posted on social media.

Journalist James Horncastle described the VAR decision to disallow the goal as ‘remarkable’

Fans were equally bemused at such a high-profile error being made in one of Europe’s biggest leagues.  

‘Can we all agree that this is the worst offside decision made since VAR was introduced?

‘The goal would have won the game on the 95th minute and it subsequently got Juventus THREE red cards. Unbelievable,’ one supporter wrote.

One fan felt Juventus were robbed of victory as Milik’s goal was controversially ruled out

Another supporter claimed that VAR should be removed after such a high-profile error

‘This is robbery, straight robbery,’ another fan added.  

‘And imagine that, it was onside! VAR OUT! Absolute shambles,’ another supporter wrote as they made their feelings about VAR clear.

Juventus have now drawn four of their opening six Serie A matches, leaving them four points behind Napoli, Atalanta and AC Milan, while they also lost their opening Champions League group game against PSG last week.