‘Criminal’ VAR leaving game in a mess, says Fulham manager Scott Parker

Fulham were pegged back by Newcastle after a controversial penalty

Scott Parker, the Fulham manager (AP)

Fulham manager Scott Parker has lashed out at soccer's video assistant referee (VAR) and accused Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson of diving to win a penalty in Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at St James' Park.

Fulham took the lead after defender Tosin Adarabioyo's header struck the post and the ball ricocheted off Matt Ritchie's face into the net. But Newcastle were awarded a 64th-minute penalty when Wilson was fouled by Joachim Andersen.

Replays showed that initial contact was outside the penalty area, but referee Graham Scott stuck to his original decision after consulting the pitchside monitor. He sent Anderson off, and Wilson converted the spot kick.

"From what I have just seen, the contact was made outside of the box and then goes into the box and dives," Parker told Sky Sports on Saturday.

"I don't know whether [the referee] is looking at the same angles I am. I just don't understand. The game has changed drastically and not for the better. It's a bit of a mess.

"We've got every gimmick, every slo-mo and yet we're still not coming up with the right decision. Sitting here, with everything in place and the way the game's going, and still not coming to the right decisions, it's criminal for me."

Fulham, who are 17th in the table with 10 points from 14 games, next face Southampton on Saturday

Reuters