Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, right, and Ipswich Town’s Leif Davis compete for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
While Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim saw his team Manchester United play a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Sunday in what was Amorim’s first match as Manchester United manager, the game saw VAR not in operation close to half-time. After Marcus Rashford scored the opening goal for United in the second minute making Amorim’s only the second permanent Premier League manager to see his side score a goal within the first two minutes of his first game in charge, VAR was not in operation when Omari Hutchinson scored the equaliser for Ipswich Town in the 43rd minute.
In what can be termed a bizarre incident, the VAR could not be in operation due to a fire alarm at Stockley Park, the VAR hub of Premier League, during the first half of the match. With referee Anthony Taylor explaining the event to captains Sam Morsy and Bruno Fernandes, Hutchinson’s goal came within minutes of the event. The Premier League was quick to come out with a statement on social media platform X.
“The match will be operating without VAR until further notice due to a fire alarm at the VAR Hub at Stockley Park.” Premier League posted on X. While half-time happened minutes after the opening goal, VAR was restored at the start of the second half, which was mostly dominated by Ipswich Town. “VAR is now back up and running,” Premier League posted within minutes on X.
VAR was introduced in the 2019-2020 Premier League season after the English clubs voted unanimously to include the technology in the Premier League.
In what was a disappointing draw for Manchester United after the second minute goal, manager Anorim’s interview post the match was also interrupted midway by singer Ed Sheeran. Sheeran, who has admitted his support for Ipswich in the past, also drew criticism for his act. “This week I spoke more to the media than I did in four years at Sporting. I just want to work with my players. Nothing more. I think my players were thinking too much. We lost some balls without pressure. But they really, really tried and they want this,” Anorim told Sky Sports post the match.
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First uploaded on: 25-11-2024 at 20:50 IST
