Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino calls for VAR to be delayed

Mauricio Pochettino has called on English football's authorities to delay the introduction of video technology in the Premier League.

The technology, which is being used in FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches, will be rolled out in top-flight games from next season.

Tottenham benefited from VAR in their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash against Chelsea when they were awarded a penalty despite certain replay angles appearing to show that Harry Kane - who went on to score the vital spot-kick - was offside before he was fouled by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Despite that intervention, which gives his side a 1-0 lead heading into Thursday night's second leg at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino was critical of VAR after the game and believes the rollout shouldn't be rushed.

'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,' said the Spurs boss. 'Watching every single game in Europe now, nobody is happy. I promise you, nobody.

'What worries me is that there is going to be a situation where football starts to annoy fans. This business is so important and 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. So we need to be careful how we develop this system and how we use it.

'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.

'It is not the problem of technology in general, but this particular system. The emotion is not going to be there. The feelings and the tension.'

On Thursday's clash, he added: 'It is important because that is the way you get access to the final. But then you are going to have another battle if you want to win the trophy.'