Salah & Liverpool are unstoppable - the title race is over!

Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

The Curious Case of Marcelo

KDB looks done! Captain leads City flops in Liverpool loss

Magical Modric inspires Madrid on Mbappe off-day

Editors' Picks

INEOS to distance Man Utd from past as Ferguson blamed for struggles

Salah & Szoboszlai run rings around City in champion display

‘Not a foul!’ – Officials bemuse bloodied Barca star Yamal

Rashford's impact at Villa hailed by Asensio & Tielemans

Young quotes Mourinho as he reacts to overturned penalty decision

Fabregas outwits Conte! Como stun Napoli to dent title hopes

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Willock's controversial equaliser was given </li><li>Fans insist ball did not cross the line</li><li>Lack of technology in FA Cup angers supporters</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n">Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Utterly f*cking disgraceful' - More FA Cup controversy as lack of goalline technology and VAR leaves fans outraged over Newcastle equaliser against Birmingham - a day after Man Utd score offside winner vs Leicester

League One

Birmingham

Leyton Orient

Premier League

Liverpool

Newcastle

A day after Harry <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mockery-harry-maguire-last-minute-winner-infuriates-fans-man-utd-benefit-var-absence-score-offside-goal-fa-cup-leicester/blt06cb182d6f03c49b#cs76603240f44d47ca" target="_blank">Maguire's late winner against Leicester City stirred controversy</a>, Joe Willock's equaliser for Newcastle in the first half against Birmingham prompted further anger at the lack of VAR and goalline technology in the initial rounds of the FA Cup. Willock's effort, making it 1-1, was saved by the Birmingham goalkeeper but the assistant referee signalled that the ball had crossed the line, though many took to social media to voice their outrage. The visitors took the lead briefly as Callum Wilson netted a second goal but Tomoki Iawak restored parity for the Blues just minutes before the break.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Willock's equaliser left the fans fuming on social media as they slammed the FA for not using the technology throughout the tournament.An X handle named <a href="https://x.com/superman3805/status/1888289438259962024" target="_blank">Clark Kent</a> wrote: "The FA Cup is a mess of a competition. VAR in some rounds but not others. Goalline technology in some games but not others. Goalline technology is a game that has no VAR?"<a href="https://x.com/Gooner_CC/status/1888289756796113336" target="_blank">Gooner_CC</a> wrote: "I understand that there's no VAR, but are you telling me goal line technology is not a standard in English football?? Not saying the whole ball didn't cross the line, but some confirmation would be nice."<a href="https://x.com/Blue_Footy/status/1888289413740003408" target="_blank">Vince</a> wrote: "Is goalline technology that difficult or complicated to use at this stage of the FA Cup. I find it weird that there is no goalline technology. I understand no VAR, but goalline technology, I don't understand."A fan named <a href="https://x.com/jpkesseler/status/1888289054263070988" target="_blank">JP</a> the match officials as the post read: "Referees in this country are f*cking terrible. That's borderline corrupt. Not even close to being over the line. Utterly f*cking disgraceful."Famous United fan <a href="https://x.com/markgoldbridge/status/1888288863170256912" target="_blank">Mark Goldbridge</a> wrote: "That is so dodgy on Birmingham that. Linesman no way can see that is over the line. Pure guesswork."<a href="https://x.com/aj_savva/status/1888288790499733691" target="_blank">Adam Savva</a> wrote: "The whole ball is NOT over the line. That is disgusting officiating."<a href="https://x.com/ManUtdSZN/status/1888289221812891873" target="_blank">Arun</a> wrote: "FA Cup is being played in the 20th century lmao....they don't even have goalline technology."

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

The early rounds of the FA Cup are not equipped with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) as many lower-tier clubs lack the resources required for the system to be properly implemented. However, the system will be available when the FA Cup fifth round begins.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

After facing Birmingham on Saturday, Eddie Howe's side will be back in action in the Premier League next weekend as they take on reigning champions Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on February 15.

WHAT NEXT FOR NEWCASTLE?

'Utterly f*cking disgraceful' - More FA Cup controversy as lack of goalline technology and VAR leaves fans outraged over Newcastle equaliser against Birmingham - a day after Man Utd score offside winner vs Leicester | Goal.com

Newcastle United&apos;s controversial equaliser against Birmingham in the FA Cup left the fans outraged over lack of VAR and goalline technology.

&apos;Utterly f*cking disgraceful&apos; - More FA Cup controversy as lack of goalline technology and VAR leaves fans outraged over Newcastle equaliser against Birmingham - a day after Man Utd score offside winner vs Leicester

Next matches