Dyche Slams VAR Blindspot After ‘Farcical’ Corner Decision vs Man United

Dyche Wants VAR for Corners After ‘Farcical’ Man United Goal

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has called for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention in corner decisions after a controversial set-piece led to Manchester United’s opening goal in their 2-2 draw at the City Ground.

The incident occurred in the first half when Forest defender Nicolo Savona’s clearance was ruled out of play by assistant referee Akil Howson, despite replays suggesting the ball had not fully crossed the byeline.

Referee Darren England awarded a corner, which Casemiro converted moments later to put United ahead — prompting Dyche to label the call “farcical”.

The Incident: A Clear Mistake?

Savona’s effort to keep the ball in looked successful, with TV footage appearing to show part of the ball overhanging the line, which under FIFA rules would mean it remained in play.

However, linesman Howson, 75 yards from the goal, raised his flag to signal the ball had gone out — despite his poor vantage point.

Dyche was incensed:

“Two [wrongly awarded corners] in two weeks is farcical. You might get one of those a season… The assistant referee is guessing from behind the play.”

The previous weekend, Dyche’s side also conceded from a controversial corner in a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth.

Current VAR Limitations

Under current Premier League VAR regulations, corner kicks, throw-ins, and goal kicks are not reviewable decisions, even if they lead to goals — unless there’s an offside, handball, or foul in the immediate build-up.

Dyche questioned this oversight:

“There has to be someone who overrides this decision, because it’s gone straight in the goal.”

The Forest boss is now urging the Premier League and IFAB (International Football Association Board) to expand VAR protocols to include dead-ball decisions that directly lead to goals.

Dyche’s Frustration Overshadows Promising Forest Display

Despite the controversy, Forest produced one of their best performances under Dyche, who took charge less than a month ago.

• Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona scored quickfire goals in the second half to turn the game on its head.

• Amad Diallo rescued a point for United with a thunderous strike in the 81st minute.

But the manager’s focus remained firmly on officiating inconsistencies:

“Of course we can deal with the corner better, but that’s not the point. The corner should never have been given.”

Match Stats Summary

Analysis: Should VAR Cover Corners?

Critics argue expanding VAR to every stoppage would slow down the game, but Dyche’s point raises important questions about fairness.

If a mistaken goal-kick vs corner call leads directly to a goal, does that not fall under “clear and obvious error”? VAR is currently not empowered to intervene, even if video evidence proves the call incorrect.

Expect this debate to intensify at the next IFAB annual meeting, especially as managers like Dyche continue to publicly pressure lawmakers.