Lineker fumes after VAR controversy in Tottenham's defeat at Leicester

Gary Lineker claims VAR is ‘sucking the life out of football’ after a knife-edge offside call denied Tottenham a goal in their 2-1 defeat at Leicester.

Son Heung-min was adjudged to have been offside by 1.6 cm in the build-up to Serge Aurier’s 64th-minute effort which would have put Spurs two goals in front.

The Mail on Sunday revealed last month that the 50 frames-per-second footage used by VAR meant officials could not be definitive on marginal offsides.

Critics of the system voiced their outrage at the decision which cost Tottenham.

Former Spurs and Leicester striker Lineker tweeted: ‘Even though it’s worked for Leicester today, the way VAR is being used is crap.

‘Could and should benefit the game but at present it’s sucking the life out of it.

‘More importantly, they have to find a way to show everyone in the ground and at home what is going on. Cricket does it brilliantly. Not as easy obviously, but let’s hear the conversation between VAR and ref and see the images they see. Add to the drama, don’t kill it.’

Former England winger Joe Cole, working for BT Sport, said: ‘No way does that goal get wiped out if VAR wasn’t used.’

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said: ‘I will never be a fan of VAR in its present form. Not to give Spurs the second goal is an absolute joke.’

Leicester had a goal ruled out by VAR for a clearer offside in the first half.

Tottenham’s disallowed goal is not the first marginal offside call this season controversially decided by VAR.

Raheem Sterling’s effort was adjudged to have been 2.4 cm offside against West Ham.

The MoS later proved that the Manchester City forward was running so fast he would have moved 13 cm between frames, undermining the claim the technology is perfect.