Marcelo Bielsa refuses to point finger of blame at VAR over Patrick Bamford offside in Leeds United’s heavy loss at Crystal Palace

It was second time this week the Whites had lost by that score, after going down at home to Leicester on Monday, but it could have been different had the video assistant referee not deemed the forward’s effort in the 17th minute to be offside.

Bamford pointed to where he wanted Mateusz Klich to pass the ball and it cost him when a review adjudged his outstretched arm was beyond the last defender before he scooped past Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

“The defeat is fair but the difference is exaggerated and the goals Crystal Palace scored arrived at the time when we deserved to score,” said Bielsa.

“Whatever the referee whistles, he whistles and I never comment on his decision. If the rules need to be changed, there is a lot of people dedicated to this.”

Nevertheless, Mike Dean’s decision as the VAR back at Stockley Park, was one of the big talking points of the Premier League weekend with many pundits suggesting the decision was one of the worst made by the already controversial VAR system.

Gary Lineker led the backlash on social media, tweeting: “That’s another ridiculous VAR offside decision to disallow Bamford’s goal. I actually loathe the way it’s being implemented.”

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