Gordon on VAR: 'Get rid of it or get better'

Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon expressed his frustration with video assistant referees (VAR) in football, stating he "doesn't understand the point" of having them.

Gordon was denied a first-half penalty despite seemingly being fouled by Manchester United's Sofyan Amrabat during Newcastle's 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.

At the time, with Newcastle trailing 1-0, on-field referee Rob Jones did not award a penalty, and VAR official Jarred Gillett did not instruct him to review the incident.

"I have watched it back and it is a clear penalty," said Gordon. "He [Amrabat] goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back. I knew straight away, that's why I didn't appeal. I waited for the VAR to check, I told my team-mates 'it was a clear penalty."

"I don't mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch, but I don't understand the point of VAR. Either get rid of it or get better. It's that simple, there's too many mistakes."

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe added: "I thought it was a penalty. I thought that’s what VAR was good at.

“I have always been in an era where the referee makes a decision and I back it. I would possibly keep it [VAR] with offsides, but I want more power with referees."

Gordon's comments followed the announcement that Premier League clubs will vote on whether to remove VAR from next season at their annual general meeting next month.

Wolves have officially put forward a resolution to the Premier League, which will lead to a vote during the meeting of the 20 member clubs in Harrogate on 6 June.

Earlier on Wednesday, former England captain Wayne Rooney expressed his preference for football without VAR during an interview on Sky Sports.

"I don't like VAR and if it's there and they get all the decisions right then fair enough but it's taken all the enjoyment out of the game," he remarked.

"You're better off letting referees ref it and understand they will make mistakes. I'd much rather see the game without it."