Swedenâs Kosovare Asllani has described the use of VAR at Euro 2022 as 'a catastrophe'.The 32-year-old forward complained to reporters ahead of Sweden's semi-final clash against England. She took issue with the amount of VAR cameras in use at Euro 2022, particularly in comparison to the number in operation during a menâs tournament. âUsing 50% fewer cameras in our tournament than the menâs game, that is a catastrophe really,â Asllani said. âThe decisions canât be made with the same precision. Itâs not just for us, for other teams too. There are situations where I think you should have more cameras, that can be really decisive.âSweden have been subject to a number of VAR decisions during Euro 2022, with five goals ruled out by the technology across their four games. This includes Rebecka Blomqvistâs effort against Switzerland in the group stage, which was deemed to be offside. Goalkeeper ZeÄira MuÅ¡oviÄ later claimed the offside line had not been drawn in the correct place.This grievance was then repeated by Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson when Stina Blacksteniusâs quarter-final goal against Belgium was ruled offside. âThat line is completely wrong,â Eriksson told the Swedish newspaper Expressen. âYou should draw the line at the penultimate playerâs most defensive point but, if the ball is in front of that player, then it is the ballâs most offensive point that counts. âBut in this case the video referee has drawn the line from the ballâs most defensive point, alternatively from the penultimate playerâs forehead. But in any case both are wrong.â
Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson joined AC Milanâs Asllani in her criticism, describing the situation as âstrangeâ.
âI like VAR, I think itâs fair when they have it but, if we have one game where they make a mistake because they draw the line on the wrong side and now weâve heard they donât have the same cameras, for me itâs not acceptable in a Euro.â
âWe havenât seen it ourselves but a Swedish referee at home in a studio pointed out that they drew the line incorrectly⦠then youâre incompetent at your job.Â
âTalking about the cameras, there shouldnât be a difference whether itâs womenâs or menâs football.â
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Sweden play England at Bramall Lane this evening for a place in the Euro 2022 Final.
The remaining semi-final, between France and Germany, is scheduled to be held at Stadium MK tomorrow.
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