Gary Neville breaks down why VAR couldn’t overrule the ball being out of play during Newcastle vs Arsenal

Gary Neville has explained why VAR couldn’t overrule the ball being out of play during Newcastle's win over Arsenal on the weekend.

The Gunners lost 1-0 to Newcastle at St James' Park due to Anthony Gordon's highly controversial goal around the hour mark.

New angles emerged which appear to show the ball went out of play before the ball found its way to Gordon, but VAR concluded that there was 'inconclusive evidence'.

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta ripped into VAR for their decision to award the goal, branding it a "disgrace" and claiming he was "embarrassed" to be a part of the Premier League during a damning three minute rant.

Two days after the drama, Neville has explained why VAR couldn't overrule the ball being out of play.

"There's ambiguity. It's an optical illusion!" 👁️@GNev2 explains the different angles when a ball is sitting on the touchline 🎥🤨 pic.twitter.com/JgIo1xSbWW

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 6, 2023

Placing the ball on the edge of the touchline, Neville explained that although no part of it was touching the white line, the overhang meant the ball was still in play.

The camera then panned to an angle used by VAR on Saturday, which appears to show the same ball over the line, demonstrating why many fans thought the ball had gone out.

"That is the angle that the VAR was looking at on Saturday night," Neville said on Sky Sports.

"We're not trying to say if the ball is in or out. What we're trying to say is the VAR cannot overturn the on-field decision because it's really clear that there is ambiguity.

"It's an optical illusion. That ball is clearly in, but as we switch to that other angle, and i ca understand completely why they couldn't overrule the decision."

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