Fans of Bournemouth and Wolves expressed their frustration by chanting, “this is embarrassing,” as a VAR review for a potential goal took seven minutes to resolve—despite this weekend’s FA Cup matches marking the debut of semi-automated offside technology in English football.
The incident occurred at the Vitality Stadium when Milos Kerkez appeared to give Bournemouth a 2-0 lead after bundling the ball into the net from close range. However, the goal was immediately placed under VAR scrutiny, leaving players, managers, and fans in confusion.
Referee Sam Barrott even approached both managers during the lengthy review, as uncertainty lingered over whether the goal would stand. After a delay exceeding seven minutes, the effort was ultimately disallowed for offside.
Sky Sports News has reached out to the Football Association and PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) for comment on the incident.
According to previous guidance on the Football Association’s website, semi-automated offside technology was expected to enhance decision-making speed and efficiency, with an estimated 30-second reduction in decision time for close offside calls. The technology was first introduced in English football during Aston Villa’s FA Cup fifth-round victory against Cardiff City on Friday night.
Merson: Unbelievable! I’d like to see it again!
Paul Merson on Soccer Saturday as the ball hit the back of the net:
“From this angle, it looks like a blatant handball, but initially, it appeared to come off his hip. I think this might get disallowed. As Kerkez followed the ball in, it seemed to hit the top of his arm before going in off the post. It’s going to be harsh if they give it—it’s on his sleeve. The ball got caught on the post, and he ran past it before it dropped into the net. All of this happened at 100mph.”
Referee Sam Barrott waits on the VAR decision before the effort is eventually ruled out
Paul Merson on Soccer Saturday, more than four minutes into the VAR review:
“Unbelievable. Now the referee has come over and spoken to both managers. All the coaches and players are gathered around. He hasn’t said anything yet—he just had a big meeting with them, talked, and then walked away. Now he’s speaking to the players again. Still no decision. I don’t know if he was asking the coach about good restaurants for tonight or something!”
Paul Merson following the decision to disallow the effort:
“They’ve ruled it offside against Kerkez. As he came in at the far post to meet the corner, his foot was offside when he went up to bundle the ball in with his hip. But that’s not the case when the corner is initially taken—he wasn’t standing there already, so I don’t understand what happened. I’d like to see it again, but they didn’t show that part of it. It took seven or eight minutes, and they’ve concluded it’s offside, so it’s still 1-0.”
