Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has stood by his comments on VAR after criticising the system for disallowing Harry Kane’s last-gasp goal against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Italian was sent off for his protestations after VAR ruled out Kane’s stoppage-time winner in the 1-1 draw for offside, with the 53-year-old answering just one
question in his post-match press conference as he questioned the honesty of VAR.
Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth, he said: “I haven’t changed my mind.
“I think I was very clear after the game what I said and I confirmed what I said. It’s simple. My feeling about the situation is the same.
“I repeat that the decision was really wrong.”
Asked if VAR is ruining the excitement of football, he replied: “I continue to think it’s impossible to make mistakes with VAR. You have the screen, you have the time. It’s impossible to make mistakes for these reasons.
“For me, it’s impossible to make a wrong decision with VAR. And to keep everyone waiting for five or six minutes means you have confusion in your mind.
“Against Newcastle, it was impossible to see Callum Wilson not block Hugo Lloris. It was so clear. Another big mistake.
“We are talking about situations that are so clear. I hope in every situation to see honesty. To make mistakes with VAR – I don’t want to say what I think.”
The FA confirmed later on Friday that Tottenham had received a £20,000 fine after they protested the decision to award Newcastle the opening goal in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat.
Spurs goalkeeper Lloris collided with Wilson when attempting to deal with a long ball, with the Newcastle striker chipping the ball into an unguarded net.
Tottenham players immediately surrounded referee Jarred Gillett in protest and the decision to award the goal after a VAR check also found nothing wrong left the home side furious.
Why was Kane’s goal against Sporting disallowed?
Kane was behind Emerson Royal when the Spurs wing-back nodded the ball back towards him in the Sporting area. The ball deflected off a defender and dropped in front of Kane, who finished first time to seemingly win the game for the hosts.
However, following a VAR check that took several minutes and left those in the stadium unsure whether Tottenham had indeed sealed their place in the next round, it was determined that Kane was slightly in front of the ball when Emerson headed it in his direction and was therefore offside.
Conte on a ‘great path’ with Spurs
Conte was more positive about his time at Tottenham ahead of the anniversary of his appointment next week.
“I’m enjoying my time at Tottenham,” he said. “I think in one year we had a great path together with the club, the players and the fans. I’m enjoying every single moment with my adventure in Tottenham.
“For sure, I discovered a modern club, a club with a fantastic training ground, amazing stadium, the passion of our fans and at the same time also the demands of our fans. Because with our fans the demand is very high! Yeah, I continue to enjoy every day to stay here, to work here for this club.”
Conte: I believe in Gil
Bryan Gil made another strong impression from the bench in midweek but is yet to play in the Premier League this season.
The Spain international was likened to Bernardo Silva by his manager, who has used the attacker three times as a substitute in the Champions League.
“Bryan Gil is a player that I always said to you is a really good prospect but physically is not so strong,” Conte said.
“I believe in him, otherwise I don’t risk playing him in the Champions League. But I try to find the right moments when he can be useful for the situation we’re facing at that moment.
“I’m sure about Gil’s future because we’re talking about a player who sees football. When I ask him something in the training session, he understands quickly and also his desire is to become an important player.
“If I have to compare him with someone I can see him like Bernardo Silva at (Manchester) City in his structure. But, for me, at this moment Silva is physically stronger than him but we are talking about this type of player.”
Tottenham’s fixtures before World Cup
October 29: Bournemouth (A) – kick-off 3pm
November 1: Marseille (A) – kick-off 8pm
November 6: Liverpool (H) – kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
November 9: Nottingham Forest (A) – kick-off 7.45pm
November 12: Leeds (H) – kick-off 3pm
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