Angry Nigerian Fans React to Controversial FA Cup Moments
Newcastle’s controversial equaliser against Birmingham in the FA Cup has sparked outrage among fans, who are upset over the lack of VAR and goalline technology.
Joe Willock’s equaliser for Newcastle in the first half was given despite many believing the ball did not cross the line. The lack of technology in the FA Cup’s early rounds angered supporters, especially after a similar incident in the Manchester United vs Leicester match the day before. The assistant referee flagged that Willock’s effort had crossed the line, although the Birmingham goalkeeper had saved it. Newcastle briefly went ahead with Callum Wilson’s second goal, before Birmingham’s Tomoki Iawak made it 2-2 just before half-time.
Fans took to social media to express their frustration over the decision and the absence of technology in the competition.
One fan, Chijioke Nwachukwu, tweeted: “The FA Cup is a mess of a competition. VAR in some rounds but not others. Goalline technology in some games but not others. Goalline technology and no VAR?”
Another, Tunde Adebayo, said: “I understand there’s no VAR, but are you telling me goal-line technology isn’t standard in English football? Not saying the ball didn’t cross the line, but some confirmation would be nice.”
Oluwaseun Bakare added: “Is goalline technology that hard to use at this point in the FA Cup? I understand no VAR, but no goalline technology makes no sense.”
A fan named Chuka Obi criticised the referees, saying: “Referees in this country are terrible. That was borderline corrupt. The ball was nowhere near the line. Utterly disgraceful.”
Well-known Nigerian supporter, Kelechi Ijeoma, commented: “That is so dodgy on Birmingham. The linesman couldn’t have seen that the ball was over the line. Pure guesswork.”
Emeka Okafor wrote: “The whole ball is NOT over the line. That’s shocking officiating.”
Another fan, Ifeanyi Eze, said: “The FA Cup is being played in the 20th century. No goalline technology!”
In the FA Cup’s early rounds, there is no VAR due to many lower-tier clubs lacking the resources for it. However, the technology will be in place when the competition reaches the fifth round.
