Southampton striker Charlie Austin has hit out at the decision to disallow his goal in his side's 1-1 draw against Watford in a furious rant.
The Saints were leading 1-0 when Austin found the net in the second half, but his effort was ruled out by referee Simon Hooper.
Hooper incorrectly ruled that the ball deflected in off Southampton's Maya Yoshida, who was in an offside position.
As reported by BBC Sport, Austin said: 'It's ridiculous, they shouldn't be in the game, We scored a perfectly good goal that was ruled out for offside. The officials cost us two points. They said it was offside, that is a joke.
'People go on about VAR, they clearly need help. If this is the best, most-watched league in the world then give them all the help they need. It is a joke.
'Sure there are many positives, we worked hard, we deserved three points and we would have got that had we not been let down by the official.'
Austin went on to add that he felt Southampton had been 'let down' by the decision.
He said: 'We feel like we have been let down. I started well, worked hard to be up 1-0 at half-time and we stuck to the plan.
'We didn't get beat but we should have gotten away with three points going into the international break.
'The performance was there, we can take that away and we should manage the game. I'm angry is what it is, we should have won 2-0.'
The result saw Southampton's run without a win in the Premier League extend to eight games.
Manolo Gabbiadini's goal had put Southampton in front but, after Austin's effort was disallowed, Watford levelled late on courtesy of Jose Holebas' deflected strike.
Southampton are in 17th place in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
pololim
0
Spot on, Charlie. Pathetic from officials and they are protected too much. Ref cost them 2 valuable 2 points but no doubt Charlie be fined now. Spineless
Seeing as Watford should have had a penalty and it wasn't given the mistakes as bad as they were, evened themselves out.
Jamesnagy
0
Simon Hooper again. Remember his first Premiership game when he disallowed a perfectly good overhead kick by Cameron Jerome of Norwich. He didn't ref a top flight game again until this season. Google it and read Mark Halsey's damning verdict on his appointment. The worst ref I have ever seen! Ban this fool for life!
Believe me, he was truly dreadful that day and I have seen him several times since. He's always the worst performer on the pitch.
Missouri
1
Wrong decision yes, but nobody cares as it's Mark Hughes' team!
Laryngitis
1
Spot on, Charlie. Pathetic from officials and they are protected too much. Ref cost them 2 valuable 2 points but no doubt Charlie be fined now. Spineless
winterse
1
This is happening WAY too many times to be ignored now.
useless
1
Sadly he'll get fined for his displeasure of the refs by the FA.
kissyou
1
It's time the refs pay for their mistakes..
nanik
1
VAR anyone? It worked well in the World Cup
Jafferson
1
That¿s a fine and potential ban for you Charlie all for saying the truth.....
boxingei
1
Simon Hooper again. Remember his first Premiership game when he disallowed a perfectly good overhead kick by Cameron Jerome of Norwich. He didn't ref a top flight game again until this season. Google it and read Mark Halsey's damning verdict on his appointment. The worst ref I have ever seen! Ban this fool for life!
Unhappygirl
0
2 shocking games Hooper has officiated, he needs demotion
dreamcup
0
Poor reffing but for both teams... Watford should have had a penalty and possibly a second yellow for betrand!
erroneous
0
Of course he didn't mention the other obvious mistake ie Penalty for the foul on Chaloboah .
Movidas
0
what about the blatant penalty Watford didn't get? on a different planet these idiots....
childhood
0
English referees are disaster and VAR should be part of the EPL in next season
satisfied
0
FairPlay nice to see some passion instead of usual boring interviews
shiaweek
0
he was clearly livid but did very well to convey his anger without swearing.
Moccame
0
He wasn't asked about that skate boy...
reasonlife
0
VAR is needed, but officials need to know how to use it. I watch the Aussie A League every week and it's been a joke.
tuition
0
Yes you are peed off goal was disallowed but what about watford's obvious penalty that wasn't given? Could have changed score!
inoculate
0
Best post match I've ever seen. Nice to see some real emotion
realmans
0
Like it. He should do all Saints interviews
Justinbra
0
More interviews like this please. It's good to see footballers being honest for once, instead of giving fake polite answers.
vamosl
0
I want Southampton to sack Mark Hughes so I can root for them again as a neutral
catcat
0
That's what happens when your Club vote against VAR
yusuon
0
Whatever you think about this game Simon Hooper is the Mr Magoo of the referee world he is truly awful
inoculate
0
Poor officiating. And the worst thing about it is that the so-called experts will wash it away by saying these decisions even themselves out at the end of the season. No, they don't. We need technology to eliminate all errors especially as there is so much money involved in the game these days.
namelesse
0
It's about time someone was brave enough to tell things as they are , week in week out poor officiating is influencing the results of games . My club just last week has a perfectly good goal ruled offside by a linesman who was a yard behind play , how can he give offside from behind the event ?
flyboat
0
Forgetting about the absolute stonewall penalty Watford should have had which would have resulted in a second yellow if not straight red for Bertrand?
popola
0
Poor standard in the premiership with these team been dreadful
funv
0
U.K. refs are a liability, hence none at World Cup.
opinion
0
Carlos Austinho is right. According to Watford supporters though, they had a clear penalty turned down. Clearly VAR is necessary but would it stop play too much? How often do you interfere by using VAR?
blossomaea
0
Yawn, yawn, yawn, did this game involve Mark Hughes? Heard it all before at Stoke. Last week he had a plan to effect the game, he certainly effected it, all over after 6 minutes. Clueless tactically and defensively.
ssure
0
Why do they think Southampton should have won? Disallowed penalty vs disallowed goal?
Yvetteharris
0
We've seen it before, better start preparing for the Championship.
Robberyone
0
Hughes moans about everything, and now his players are too. Maybe the refs make mistakes from time to time, but not as many as he has as a manager. Take a look at yourself and stop blaming others constantly.
Brucellosis
0
What about the Watford Penalty. Two bad decisions but they balanced it out. Draw fair!
rainhardmartin
0
stupid ref