Alan Shearer has delivered a strong criticism of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) following a contentious moment in Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
He questioned both the consistency and decision-making process that continues to surround the system.
The incident in question involved a heated confrontation between Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Despite what appeared to be a significant clash, the referee opted to caution both players rather than issue a more severe punishment.
VAR reviewed the situation but ultimately chose not to overturn the on-field decision — a move that has sparked renewed debate.
Both players were seen reacting strongly, with Gabriel seemingly moving his head toward Haaland in a manner that could be interpreted as aggressive.
Referee Anthony Taylor responded by showing yellow cards to both men, attempting to diffuse the situation without escalating disciplinary action.
However, the decision did not sit well with many observers. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also voiced his frustration on the touchline, earning himself a yellow card for his protests.
Despite the protests and the apparent severity of the incident, VAR upheld the referee’s original call, determining that a booking was sufficient punishment.
For Shearer, the decision highlighted what he perceives as an ongoing lack of consistency in how VAR is applied.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, the former England striker did not hold back in his assessment of the situation, suggesting that similar incidents have been judged far more harshly in the past.
“The VAR sent the referee to the screen last week in the Man United game [vs Leeds] for a tiny tug of the hair, if anything, and [Lisandro] Martinez is sent off for violent conduct,” Shearer said.
He drew a direct comparison between that incident and Gabriel’s clash with Haaland, arguing that the latter appeared far more serious and should have resulted in a red card.
“Yet you look at Gabriel, who shoved his head into Haaland’s head, how on earth is that not a red card? Seriously, what is going on in our game with VAR?”
Shearer’s comments reflect a broader frustration shared by players, pundits, and supporters alike, who have often questioned why similar incidents can lead to vastly different outcomes.
The perceived inconsistency has been one of the most persistent criticisms of VAR since its introduction, with calls for clearer guidelines and more transparency continuing to grow.
Shearer questions VAR’s influence on title race
Beyond the immediate decision, Shearer went further by suggesting that external factors may have influenced VAR’s reluctance to intervene.
With both Manchester City and Arsenal heavily involved in the title race, he hinted that officials might have been hesitant to make a call that could significantly impact the outcome of the competition.
“My take on it is that they [VAR] probably said, ‘We don’t really want to get involved in the title race, and we might not be seen sending someone else off.’”
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Shearer also pointed to Haaland’s reaction during the incident as a factor that may have influenced the outcome.
The Norwegian striker remained on his feet despite the contact, something Shearer believes may have worked against him in terms of how the situation was perceived.
“I think Haaland has done Gabriel a favour by not going to the ground, because so many other players would have gone to the ground when he stuck his head into his.”
The implication is clear: had Haaland reacted differently, perhaps by falling to the ground, the incident might have been viewed as more serious and prompted VAR to take stronger action.
Shearer concluded his assessment with a firm stance on what he believes should have happened.
“Clear red card it should have been.”
