After some bizarre incidents during an FA Cup win over Rochdale, the Tottenham boss sympathised with match officials
Mauricio Pochettino said he feels sorry for match officials after a string of video assistant referee (VAR) decisions marred Tottenham's FA Cup win against Rochdale.
Fernando Llorente struck a perfect hat-trick in a 6-1 rout of the League One side at a snowy Wembley on Wednesday to book a quarter-final meeting with Swansea City.
But the headlines were made by VAR yet again, with the technology being trialled in English football for the first time in the FA Cup.
Referee Paul Tierney consulted VAR before ruling out Erik Lamela's fifth-minute effort, while Spurs were then awarded a penalty thanks to the system.
However, the subsequent strike was disallowed by the official following yet another lengthy review after Son Heung-min feinted in his run-up.
Fans and pundits alike were left confused by the use of the technology and Pochettino said it was difficult for his players to concentrate during an eventful first half, with the score 1-1 at the break before Spurs pulled away after the interval.
"It was a game we can talk about different things," Pochettino told BBC Sport. "It was so complicated because of the new system, it was difficult to keep focus on the game. The job is done and we are happy because we are in a quarter-final.
"I told the players to keep focused at half-time. The circumstances were difficult. I think we have the best referees in Europe or the world but I don't know if this system will help them or cause more confusion.
"It is a game of emotion. If we are going to kill this emotion I think we are going to change the game.
"It's difficult for the referee - I feel so sorry for the referee and more I feel sorry for the fans because it's so difficult to understand the situation.
"We have a tough game at Swansea and we will have a competitive time."
Having pegged Spurs back for the second time this month before the Premier League side's class told after the interval, Dale boss Keith Hill was thrilled with the way his team competed.
"The first half was special," Hill told BBC Sport. "Tottenham are a marvellous and exceptional side and I hope they go on to win the FA Cup.
"In no shape or form am I embarrassed about the way they [Rochdale players] took them on. Let's be proud about what we tried to achieve.
"It's not often you get an opportunity to pit your wits against a special side. We will miss it this week but we look forward to the league games."
yashsaini
3
that happen dont worry
TusharTarang2468
5
Thieves don't like CCTV. Cheating Tottenham don't like VAR. Not surprised.
Wow man ! Your comment has been voted as hot comment , but unlikely you've got unlikes instead of likes.
Justice3127
1
VAR is going to make football boring unless much update is done on the system to make it very very fast so that there wouldn't be breaks during matches
Manchester Man
3
VAR is just destroying the Sensational game. Referees are there to do the job. They should banned VAR. The game should be like the old days of football with great excitement.
Eastwood
0
It¿s terrible. We tried it and it does not work , simple as. Takes the adrenaline, the rush and passion out of the game.
Toni13
2
Spurs won 8-1, that¿s the reality and it¿s worrying that the VA R caused such problems but more worrying that the Ref wasn¿t up to the job.
Oxford
0
Thieves don't like CCTV. Cheating Tottenham don't like VAR. Not surprised.
reallythe
0
VAR works but only if the people using it know what they are doing. . .. The referees using it have been very Keystone Kops lately .. .. It cant be that hard surely or are the FA delib doing this to avoid implementing it ?
actually
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Stick with VAR, it will work like rugby does perfectly. . Not sure why they are having problems though . . The sooner the referee is miked up too the better then the viewers can hear his interaction with the TV match official and understand what is going on .. ... .
taxation
0
Football is all about getting the correct decisions. Next time when decisions go against Tottenham, their manager should accept them as emotions are more important them getting the correct decisions.
Polaroid
0
football is nothing without the fans so if they dont want it its time to get rid its as simple as that
emphasi
0
Red Card VAR now before it kills everything in our game. I sooner see a ref make a mistake, or a linesman miss an offside that keep on with this rubbish. It's ruining our beautiful game.
Romeojin
0
I tink VAR trial tells you what u need to know its not in full use and is open to error! Hence why there tryin it out in lesser important games and who knows they might conclude that its just not worth it or it could save small teams who get say a goal and it called offside etc.
Derobect
0
Still a big believer in VAR, but that was just dire. VAR only works if the officials using it know what they are doing and do it quickly. This lot didn't do either.
Paparazz
0
He is absolutely right, technology will ruin football. But if it wasn't for the likes of him and all the other managers continuously whining about bad decisions there would be no need for it.
Alaweas
0
Just me who thinks the FA are giving video referee's orders to mess up purposefully so they don't need to chalk out for technology permanently as most of these controversial decisions they are getting wrong would take anyone of moderate intelligence no more than 30 seconds to make the correct decision.
pumpkinin
0
Does it mean football needs cheats and tricks instead of fairness!!! This is the first season of using VAR, it is necessary for the referee to have more practice and gain more experience, but some divers and cheaters always want VAR out. What a shame!!!
domdomO
0
A lot of managers and ex players are turning into snowflakes .stand up and save football .Football does not need VAR
prakashcr7
1
VAR=Video Acting Refree. It's only a drama.
forzacmilanspursmanu
4