The Roar
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John Aloisi fumes at VAR after Roar goal denied

Is John Aloisi doing better than his Victory counterpart? (AAP Image/David Crosling)
22nd October, 2017
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Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi has called for clarity around the A-League’s use of video reviews after his side was controversially denied an equaliser in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to the Newcastle Jets.

A scintillating individual effort from Massimo Maccarone was chalked off by video assistant referee (VAR) Peter Green after replays showed he strayed offside in the build-up play to his goal in the 70th minute at Suncorp Stadium.

It would have been the veteran Italian striker’s second A-League goal and by far his finest moment for the Roar.

The 38-year-old split two defenders after receiving a well-weighted pass from Fahid Ben Khalfallah and nailed the bottom corner with his shot.

Aloisi was incensed, claiming the decision was not in line with what coaches were told about how the VAR would operate.

“The rule as I interpret it and as they explained it to us was that if the ball was going forward and it’s attacking and it’s the final bit of the phase, then you can come back and call it offside,” he said.

“It’s a pity because it was such a good goal.

“If that’s what we’re going to turn to to go back three phases to disallow a goal, then we’ve got a serious issue. The VAR’s got a problem.

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“I don’t understand when you can use it, when you can’t use it, how far back you go with it.”

The IFAB’s protocol for the use of VAR, which is followed by the A-League, clearly states the referee has the power to review play “as far back as the start of the attacking move which led to the incident” – meaning Green’s ruling was by the book.

But that wasn’t Aloisi’s only grievance. He also queried why the VAR didn’t review the decision to caution Wayne for his tackle on Avram Papadopoulos, which he said “clearly” deserved a red card.

“Now why isn’t the VAR used there? That’s the issue that I have,” he said.

Aloisi was in a bullish mood despite the Roar’s third straight loss, saying their “brilliant” performance in the second half against the Jets was reason to be confident they are heading in the right direction.

“We’re going to be a very, very good footballing side,” Aloisi said.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted, but as long as the players keep positive – and we will – we’ll pick up results. We’ll go on a good run soon.”

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