Leeds United chief Angus Kinnear slams Manchester City goal, claims decisions are 'bastardising' foundations of football's laws

VAR CONTROVERSY - Aston Villa boss Dean Smith was red carded for his protests about Manchester City's goal, which was confirmed by VAR. Pic: Getty

The Whites CEO says some recent decisions in the Premier League are 'bastardising' the original intentions of the laws, including Manchester City's disputed goal from Bernardo Silva against Aston Villa. VAR confirmed that decision in City's 2-0 win.

"Away from Leeds we have seen more decisions which are bastardising the very foundations of the laws of the game," said Kinnear in his programme notes for tonight's game against Everton at Elland Road.

"Whether it's Manchester City scoring a goal which is 20 yards offside because Tyron Mings has the audacity to attempt to clear the ball, or Southampton's Danny Ings scoring a perfectly good equaliser, if it were adjusted by the spirit of the game, only to be denied by a geek over a hundred miles away frenetically trying to align his cross-hairs with an arse and an elbow while simultaneously demonstrating he doesn't know one from the other."

Kinnear is concerned that the game's entertainment factor could be damaged by tinkering with the laws.

"The trend towards consistent tampering with laws and their interpretation, overlayed with the dubious benefits of increased technology, is a worrying one," he said.

"It is important that we don't allow our rule makers to damage both the spirit of the game and its ability to entertain by solving problems that only they perceive."