“Unacceptable” – Mark Clattenburg Says VAR Made a Big Mistake in Crystal Palace 3–3 Bournemouth Thriller…

“Unacceptable” – Mark Clattenburg Says VAR Made a Big Mistake in Crystal Palace 3–3 Bournemouth Thriller…

In what was an electrifying Premier League encounter at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth shared the spoils in a dramatic 3–3 draw that left fans breathless—but also fuming. The real controversy, however, did not stem from the flurry of goals, but from a crucial refereeing decision that has reignited debate over the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Former Premier League referee and current refereeing analyst Mark Clattenburg has called the error “unacceptable,” claiming that the officials in Stockley Park failed to intervene correctly in a decision that ultimately changed the course of the game.

A Six-Goal Showdown Overshadowed by Controversy

The match itself had everything—end-to-end action, defensive chaos, stunning strikes, and moments of brilliance from both sides. Bournemouth twice came from behind before snatching what seemed like a decisive lead late on, only for Crystal Palace to rescue a point in stoppage time. But what should have been celebrated as one of the most entertaining fixtures of the season became mired in yet another VAR dispute.

The controversy erupted in the 74th minute, when Bournemouth forward Dominic Solanke appeared to control the ball with his arm before setting up Philip Billing for what became Bournemouth’s third goal. Despite protests from Palace players, the goal was allowed to stand after a brief VAR check. The replay, however, seemed to show clear contact between Solanke’s upper arm and the ball—a situation that, under current laws, should have resulted in a handball offense and the goal being disallowed.

Clattenburg’s Furious Response: “This Should Never Have Stood”

Speaking on BBC Sport after the match, Mark Clattenburg did not mince words. The former FIFA referee, known for officiating high-profile matches such as the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final and Euro 2016 Final, described the decision as “shocking and inexcusable.”

> “I’ve looked at the footage several times,” Clattenburg said. “The ball clearly strikes Solanke’s arm before he plays it forward. Whether it’s intentional or not doesn’t matter—the law is very clear. Any use of the arm that directly leads to a goal must be penalized. For VAR to review that incident and still allow the goal to stand is simply unacceptable.”

He added that the VAR team’s failure to intervene undermines the entire purpose of technology in football:

> “VAR exists to correct clear and obvious mistakes. This was one of them. It’s baffling that they didn’t send the referee to the monitor to take a closer look.”

Crystal Palace’s Frustration Boils Over

After the match, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was visibly frustrated, calling for more consistency in how VAR decisions are handled.

> “It’s difficult for players to understand,” Glasner said. “In one game, a handball like that is disallowed; in another, it’s not. We need fairness and clarity. The players gave everything, and to see a result potentially influenced by a poor call—it’s painful.”

Several Palace players echoed their manager’s sentiments on social media, with captain Marc Guéhi posting:

> “We fight hard every week, and moments like that cost us. VAR has to do better.”

Bournemouth’s Perspective: “We Take the Point, But We Understand Their Anger”

While Bournemouth celebrated a thrilling point away from home, even their manager Andoni Iraola admitted that the incident could have gone the other way.

> “I haven’t seen the slow-motion replay clearly, but if it’s hit his arm, then we got lucky. Sometimes decisions go your way, sometimes they don’t. We’ve also been on the wrong side of VAR calls this season,” Iraola said.

Solanke himself, who was at the center of the storm, maintained that the ball hit his “chest, not the arm,” but conceded that the debate was inevitable given how tight the call was.

VAR Under Fire Yet Again

The Premier League’s VAR system has faced repeated scrutiny this season, with multiple high-profile errors drawing criticism from managers, players, and pundits alike. Just weeks ago, the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) publicly apologized to Liverpool after a disallowed goal against Tottenham was later confirmed to have been legitimate—a costly human error that prompted calls for greater transparency.

Clattenburg believes this latest blunder adds to a growing pattern of inconsistency.

> “We’ve had too many apologies this season,” he said. “Every time something like this happens, fans lose a bit more trust in the system. It’s not enough to say ‘sorry’ on Monday morning. The standard of officiating and VAR operation must improve now.”

He also suggested that VAR officials be held more accountable through public post-match explanations, similar to the model used in rugby and cricket.

> “If referees and VAR officials explained their reasoning live, even briefly, fans would understand the process better. Right now, decisions come out of nowhere, and no one knows who decided what.”

Experts and Fans Weigh In

Across social media, football analysts and fans expressed outrage over the decision. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, appearing on Match of the Day, called it “a textbook VAR failure.”

> “If that’s not handball, then I don’t know what is. You can’t miss that on multiple replays. The technology was there, but the human judgment was missing.”

Fans flooded Twitter and Reddit with comments like “VAR is killing the game” and “If this is what technology gives us, we might as well go back to no VAR.” The growing disillusionment highlights a deepening divide between the intended purpose of VAR—to bring fairness—and its practical execution, which often fuels controversy instead.

A System in Need of Reform

VAR was introduced to eliminate “clear and obvious errors,” but in reality, it has introduced a new layer of confusion. From subjective interpretations of handball to microscopic offside calls, fans are increasingly frustrated with how often decisions seem to vary depending on the officials involved.

Clattenburg insists that the system itself isn’t the issue—it’s the human element.

> “The technology works. The problem is consistency in how it’s used. Until that’s addressed, we’ll keep seeing these unacceptable situations.”

He went on to urge the Premier League and PGMOL to review the training protocols and real-time communication between on-field referees and VAR officials.

Looking Ahead: Lessons to Be Learned

For Crystal Palace, the result was a bittersweet one—an admirable comeback overshadowed by officiating controversy. For Bournemouth, it was a hard-fought point that came amid debate. But for English football, it was yet another reminder that even with all the technology in the world, human error remains the game’s most unpredictable variable.

As Mark Clattenburg summed it up:

> “Football is emotional, and mistakes will always happen. But when the same mistakes happen with the help of technology, that’s when fans start to lose faith. This one—let’s be honest—was just unacceptable.”

 

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Final Thoughts

The Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth clash will be remembered not just for its goals, but for the growing storm surrounding VAR’s role in modern football. While both sides showcased attacking brilliance, the post-match conversation was dominated by officiating controversy once again. Unless major reforms are made, moments like this will continue to overshadow the beauty of the game—something Clattenburg and countless fans hope to see change sooner rather than later.