Robbie Fowler is unhappy after the third consecutive defeat for SC East Bengal against North-East United FC by 2-0 on Saturday. This is the first season in ISL for the Kolkata giant. But it was not quite a start what they have dreamt.
SC East Bengal boss Robbie Fowler was angry after the match as his team was denied two penalties by match referee Santosh Kumar according to him. In the 20th minute, Maghoma was tripped down in the box. At the hour mark, Anthony Pilkington’s shot was touched by a defender of the North-East United FC. Robbie Fowler demanded VAR in ISL after the match. The referee waved off the shout both times.
Fowler said, “I thought the decisions (of not giving penalties) were blatant. Certainly, the first one in the first half was clear-cut. The second one, for me, was clear cut as well.”
Though the former Liverpool legend is not a good fan of VAR. But he clearly described its importance. “I think it slows the game at times. Referees might need a bit of help, I know they are doing a tough job. When you get two blatant penalties wrong like that, it is tough to take for a manager. I’m going to say ‘yes’ (for VAR).”- he said.
VAR has been already introduced in all the top division leagues of Europe. It is used successfully in UEFA Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, etc. If ISL finally decides to introduce it as well then it will be a step forward in Indian football as well.
