The FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City was marked by contentious VAR decisions that left fans and pundits debating. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments:

Dean Henderson's Handball Outside the Area

In the 23rd minute, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland was through on goal when Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson handled the ball outside the penalty area. The incident sparked immediate controversy as VAR reviewed the play for a potential red card.

VAR Decision: No red card was issued. The review concluded that while Henderson handled the ball outside the area, the ball was moving away from the goal, reducing the likelihood of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO).

Analysis: Critics argue that Henderson’s handball directly prevented Haaland from scoring, and the decision not to send him off was a missed opportunity for VAR to enforce the rules strictly.

Penalty Call: Mitchell on Silva

In the 33rd minute, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva went down in the box under a challenge from Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell. The referee initially awarded a penalty, which was then reviewed by VAR.

VAR Decision: The penalty stood, and Omar Marmoush’s shot was saved by Henderson. The VAR determined that Mitchell’s touch on the ball was insufficient to overturn the on-field decision.

Analysis: While Mitchell did make contact with the ball, the VAR’s decision to uphold the penalty has been questioned, especially in light of similar incidents in other matches where penalties were overturned.

Conclusion

The FA Cup final highlighted the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding VAR in football. While the technology aims to ensure fairness, its application continues to spark debate among fans, players, and analysts alike.