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Pochettino calls for delay in VAR introduction

Pochettino calls for delay in VAR introduction
© Reuters
The Spurs boss is not a fan of the system.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has called for the introduction of VAR to be delayed.

Pochettino is not a fan of the system in its current guise, despite it helping Spurs take a slender lead to Chelsea for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Thursday night.

In the first leg at Wembley a fortnight ago, VAR awarded Spurs a penalty after ruling Harry Kane was onside in the build-up to his foul.

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – Carabao Cup – Semi Final – First Leg – Wembley Stadium
Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot during the Carabao Cup semi-final firs leg match against Chelsea (Nick Potts/PA)

There was confusion, though, as the linesman did not keep up with play and there was a lengthy wait for referee Michael Oliver to award the decision before Kane slotted home the match-winning spot-kick.

Pochettino heavily criticised the system after that match and wants the governing bodies to wait before bringing it in to all competitions next season until it is more refined.

He said: "For me, I think it is a good idea to delay because if we don't have all the information and don't know how it will work or how we can better develop the system, it is better to stop for one year or more.

"That is my opinion if people ask me – I don't know if Daniel (Levy) will ask me or the Premier League.

Manchester City v Burton Albion – Carabao Cup – Semi Final – First Leg – Etihad Stadium
An electronic scoreboard shows VAR is checking a goal decision (Martin Rickett/PA)

"But watching every single game in Europe now, nobody is happy. I promise you – nobody! What worries me a bit is that there is going to be a situation where football starts to annoy fans.

"This business is so important and our fans – football fans – must be happy. If you stop for five minutes for a decision, I don't know how they are going to behave.

"The Premier League today is the best spectacle in the world, maybe with the NFL or NBA in America. But certainly it is the best show in Europe or in football. So we need to be careful how we develop this system and how we use it."

The time taken to deliver decisions once they have been reviewed is one of Pochettino's main sticking points while he also believes referee's mistakes are part of the game.

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur – Carabao Cup – Quarter Final – Emirates Stadium
Pochettino's side have a narrow lead over Spurs ahead of the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final (Nick Potts/PA)

"I remember the experience of playing at Wembley in the snow against Rochdale in the FA Cup replay," he said. "There was an incident in the first half that took forever to decide. There were 30-40,000 fans there for the start. For the second half? Ten-thousand less.

"That situation was difficult to accept and I am not sure if you get a benefit or not.

"We are not ready to accept this type of situation. I was watching a lot of situations that happen in different leagues.

"Those who are pro-VAR are saying that the technology is going to help. But football is about mistakes. That's players, then managers but also the referees.

Chelsea v PAOK – UEFA Europa League – Group L – Stamford Bridge
The Spurs boss is a fan of goal-line technology (Adam Davy/PA)

"How the Premier League is today is fantastic. Goal-line technology is the best. But after that, it is about whether the referee sees the incident or not. It is his interpretation. That is how we were taught to play football. It is about how the referee perceives things."

If Spurs can overcome the absence of Kane and Dele Alli for the visit to Stamford Bridge and see off Chelsea it will put Pochettino one step closer to a first trophy in management.

Tottenham's lack of silverware is a constant talking point as they begin to establish themselves at the top of the English game.

Pochettino was keen to remind people, though, that his trophy cabinet back at home in Argentina is pretty full.

Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City – Premier League – Wembley Stadium
Pochettino won many trophies as a player (Steven Paston/PA)

"When I was eight years old I started to win trophies," he said. "I remember that period until 14 years old that I moved to Rosario.

"I remember 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, for me was winning the tournament every weekend that we played in different clubs in my area. And I still keep all my trophies, the trophies you win in Argentina it was normal every weekend.

"And I keep all my trophies in my house in Murphy, it's 100 trophies maybe.

"I always win, the collective performance for winning the tournament, best player – always – and top scorer.

"Sometimes three, you can ask my mother and my dad, top scorer. But we played seven-a-side. I think 100 maybe, they are rusty now."

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