Norwich City’s controversial first goal may have enraged Derby players and fans, but Johannes Hoff Thorup revealed video assistant technology (VAR) in the Championship would get his vote.
The Football League has thus far resisted emulating the adoption of the Premier League’s VAR system, but City’s 3-2 league win at Pride Park sparked a number of contentious talking points.
Josh Sargent clearly cut a ball back from beyond the byline for Borja Sainz to open the scoring that was missed by the match officials.
Thorup himself was quick to point out Derby’s second goal would likely have been ruled out for offside, with the use of VAR, with a home player stationed in front of Angus Gunn.
The Dane gave a straight answer when asked in his post-match media round if he would be in favour of using VAR in the English second tier.
“Yes, I would,” he said. “I think we need it and then, of course, I can see in the best league, also over here, there's a lot of discussion every week around decisions and so on. It's not like it is a system where there will never be mistakes, but there will be less mistakes, and that's important for us to have in mind.
“I come from a league in Denmark where there is VAR. We were in Europe last season as well, where we were also involved in these games. And I think it supports the referees the best possible way. There will always be mistakes in football.
"I will not sit here and blame the blame the referees for their performance, because just imagine that we are refereeing such an intense game? I'm happy I'm the manager and not the referee.
“We have to get used to the system and find a rhythm where it doesn't take too much time, because I get that point (goal celebration delays), and also it takes something out of the celebration every time you score a goal, because you’re not 100pc sure every time.
"That's the downside about it. But I like that we get as many decisions as right as possible. And I think that should be the ambition going forward."
Norwich's most recent Premier League campaigns were played using the VAR system, with a controversial goal ruled out for apparent offside against Teemu Pukki in a 2-2 home draw against Tottenham in 2019.
Pukki was adjudged to have strayed offside as he chested down Mario Vrancic's raking diagonal pass to slot at the River End to add to Vrancic's early composed finish at Carrow Road.
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