Manchester City fans have been left baffled by a series of bizarre VAR decisions during their Champions League clash against FC Copenhagen.
In the 11th minute, Rodri rifled in a thunderbolt from the edge of the penalty area to score his first-ever goal in a European match.
However, the referee was told to delay the kick-off as VAR was checking for a potential handball in the build to the goal.
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Replays showed that the ball dropped onto City winger Riyad Mahrez’s arm just before Rodri’s shot.
The on-field referee was told to go to the pitch side monitor to review the situation. Referee Arthur Dias eventually ruled the goal out for handball.
City fans were left baffled by the harshness of the decision.
One said: “I’ve just seen one of the most ridiculous decisions.”
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Another tweeted: “The game is gone if that was a handball, ridiculous.”
A third fan added: “A Rodri rocket ruled out by a handball by Mahrez, football is becoming too sanitised, a goal like that shouldn’t be taken away..”
Former England striker Gary Lineker also showed his displeasure over the decision on social media.
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Lineker wrote on Twitter: “A stunning goal by Rodri ruled out through the absurdity of the current handball law.”
In the 25th minute, City were on the beneficial end of another controversial handball decision as they were given a penalty after another long VAR delay.
Algerian international took the resulting spot kick but saw his effort saved by Copenhagen’s former Liverpool goalkeeper Kamil Grabara.
Lineker tweeted: "And now @ManCity get a penalty with another ludicrous handball decision. Missed by Mahrez."
Another dramatic moment came just shy of the half-hour mark as Sergio Gomez looked to have pulled down Hakon Arnar Haraldsson just outside the penalty area. Initially, the referee did not blow for a free kick.
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However, the game was then halted as VAR intervened again to advise the referee to have a look at the decision on the pitch side monitor. After having a look, the referee decided to give a free kick and gave Gomez a straight red card.
One fan reacted with: “How bad is this referee if the VAR has to overturn every single one of his decisions.”
An eventful start to the match which has been utterly dominated by the referee and the VAR officials.
Featured Image Credit: BT SportsTopics: Manchester City, Champions League, VAR
