Dean Henderson decision sparks huge uproar as the veracity of VAR comes into question following the decision.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the centre of attention during Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The Eagles won 1-0 at Wembley thanks to the England international, who made a series of excellent saves, including diving full stretch to his right to block Omar Marmoush’s penalty.
However, should the Palace star have been on the pitch to make those crucial substitutions?
Henderson hesitated before extending a hand outside the box to deflect the ball away from the City attacker after City defender Josko Gvardiol delivered a long ball over the top for Erling Haaland to pursue on to.
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said on the BBC One coverage that it was “100% a red card” and called to “get rid of VAR”.
Henderson pushed the ball away from goal and towards the corner flag with a handball that landed just beyond the box.
Haaland would have had the opportunity to control the ball and shoot towards goal if he hadn’t made that touch, but Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix had run back to cover.
Although a goalie handling the ball outside the box does not automatically result in a red card and VAR can only reverse the judgement for an expulsion, it was determined that Haaland was not denied a clear chance to score.
Referee Stuart Attwell should have awarded City a free-kick outside the box, but he didn’t.
Rooney, who won the FA Cup with victory for United against Palace in 2016, was incredulous on BBC punditry duty, saying: “It is a red card – 100% a red card.
“Erling Haaland is about to knock it around him and Dean Henderson sweeps the ball away.
“It is a red card – how can they get this wrong?”
After hearing the VAR reaction, Rooney added: “Just get rid of VAR.
“They have made a mistake and now they are trying to cover up. It is a red card and everyone can see it’s a red card.
“To come out with all this rubbish…”