VAR Branded 'A Joke' As Alphonse Areola Handles The Ball Outside The Box But Doesn't Get Sent Off

Alphonse Areola somehow stayed on the pitch despite a clear handball outside his box against Burnley this evening.

The Fulham goalkeeper came rushing out to thwart a Burnley counter attack in the second half of the game at Craven Cottage and was quicker to the ball then opposition striker Matej Vydra.

But the ball quite clearly struck the Frenchman's arm as he darted out, in a situation similar to Bernd Leno's dismissal at Wolves earlier this season.

Referee David Coote waved away the appeals and then a VAR check took place. Yet it was decided that Areola would not be given his marching orders - much to the utter confusion of fans watching.

Ridiculously, VAR official Peter Banks and those at Stockley Park claimed that it wasn't a red because Mario Lemina was covering and it wasn't a clear goalscoring opportunity.

At the exact moment of the incident, Lemina was on the turf after colliding with his goalkeeper.

Despite the controversy, Fulham joined West Brom and Sheffield United in being relegated to the Championship following a 2-0 defeat.

Ashley Westwood and Chris Wood were on target for Sean Dyche's side.

Topics: Burnley, Fulham, VAR

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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