VAR did Hibernian out a place in the Viaplay Cup final next month, according to former player Tam McManus.
The ex-Hibs attacker believes his old club should have been victorious against Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday. Barry Robson's men in the end defeated Nick Montgomery's side 1-0 thanks to a Bojan Miovski strike.
But Martin Boyle thought he had fired Hibs into the lead during the second half. He broke clear of the Dons defence after some route one football from Will Fish. Boyle finished past Kelle Roos nicely, which sparked wild celebrations amongst the Hibs faithful in the stands.
However, VAR reviewed the incident and after a lengthy stoppage, it was concluded that Boyle was marginally offside, and so referee John Beaton ruled the goal out.
McManus was left reeling over the decision. He insists it should have been his former club that prevailed in the semi, not Aberdeen.
"Suckered. Sickened. Screwed over. Three ways to describe Hibs semi-final defeat to Aberdeen - a result that unfortunately is going to stick in the throat for Hibees for quite a while," he wrote in his Daily Record column.
"I totally understand that fans are frustrated with the results and it was definitely a massive opportunity missed. But the truth is that VAR has cost Hibs a place in the cup final. Simple as that. And it’s starting to cost football moments of real genius.
"Four days on and I still can’t understand why they gave offside against Martin Boyle. The fact they took three minutes to come to the decision tells you everything that they couldn’t be sure. So why give it?
"It was another horrible example of spontaneity being drained from the game by VAR. It was a wonderful touch and finish by Boyle. A really great goal. That’s what football is all about. People pay their money or turn on TV to see moments like that.
"Boyle was onside as far as I’m concerned. Football is an entertainment sport and you want to see goals. Three minutes to decide to rule that moment of brilliance out? That is an absolute joke. If it’s taking that long to make a decision then the truth is he’s more than likely not offside.
"Hands up, a year or so ago I was in the camp to bring VAR in because I was so sick of the moaning over decisions. But now it’s here I’d be happy to see the back of it tomorrow. Particularly in the case of offsides. The attacker has to be given the benefit of the doubt.
"I’d read that FIFA were trialling a concept that would see a player only being offside if every goalscoring part of his body was beyond the last defender - basically clear daylight. I’d back that 100 per cent. If it was that way now Hibs would be in the Viaplay Cup Final because if they’d got their noses in front they wouldn’t lose that game. Simple as that.
"It was a huge turning point and then to rub salt in the wounds they should have had a penalty too. Look at the Rangers penalty against Hearts a day later which was pretty similar.
"Fair play to Aberdeen for a smash-and-grab job but Hibs can take positives even though it doesn’t feel like it. The signs are there that Nick Montgomery knows what he is trying to do - and they weren’t there under the previous manager.
"But that’s six without a win now but it’s been a really hard run of games with Celtic, Rangers and Hearts in there as well as the semi-final. Montgomery needs to start picking up results though. And tonight in Paisley would be a great place to start."
