The Wayne Rooney Show – Rooney’s reaction: Villa vs. Newcastle drama! Do referees really hide behind VAR?

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Wayne, Kelly and Kay welcome former Premier League referee Graham Scott to discuss modern refereeing. They explain the controversial decisions in Aston Villa v Newcastle in the FA Cup, with Graham explaining why it’s unfair to say referees hide behind VAR or feel intimidated to make big decisions without it. It reveals whether officials knew at half-time whether they had made a foul, how fouls affected them mentally, and why the early days of VAR carried a stigma when decisions were overturned. Wayne shares his concern about technology draining football’s emotions, and the panel discusses whether Premier League referees should be involved in the tournament – where there is no VAR – to remain vigilant. Graham recalls the time Rooney confronted him after a strong challenge in a match against Tottenham, while Wayne reveals the way Sir Alex Ferguson encouraged Manchester United players to put pressure on the referees, but punished them if they received a warning. Wayne also gave his verdict on Thomas Tuchel extending his spell as England coach: why this is a smart move by the FA and what it could mean for the team in the future. You can watch The Wayne Rooney Show on the BBC Sport YouTube channel and iPlayer, as well as listen to the BBC Sounds channel.

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