Rooney, Wright Call for VAR Removal After FA Cup Final Controversy

During the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City, a controversial VAR decision not to send off Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson for handling the ball outside the penalty area sparked widespread outrage. Despite replays showing Henderson illegally swiping the ball away from Erling Haaland, VAR officials ruled it was not a red card because Haaland's position made it only a 'possible' rather than an 'obvious' goalscoring opportunity. Wayne Rooney vehemently criticized the decision, calling for VAR to be abolished, describing the ruling as a clear mistake and a cover-up. Fellow pundits including Ian Wright, Joleon Lescott, and Roy Keane echoed Rooney's frustration, labeling the decision as one of the worst and expressing confusion over the interpretation of the rules. The incident overshadowed Palace's historic 1-0 victory, with Henderson later saving a penalty that contributed to Manchester City's defeat. The debate highlighted ongoing controversies surrounding the subjective nature of VAR decisions in football.