‘VAR has changed football’ – Tony Cascarino slams technology after West Ham are robbed of draw against Sheffield United

Tony Cascarino says he would be ‘fuming’ with VAR if he was still playing, telling talkSPORT the new technology is ‘totally affecting football’.

West Ham are the latest team to come a cropper of VAR after they were robbed of a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United in the Premier League on Friday night.

David Moyes was jumping for joy on the touchline after Robert Snodgrass appeared a grab a dramatic point with a stoppage-time equaliser at Bramall Lane, only for the goal to be ruled out for a harsh handball.

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The ball struck Rice in the build-up to the goal, ricocheting up off his arm at point-blank range after a challenge from a Blades defender, just moments before his pass put Snodgrass through on goal.

The new handball law states that any goal scored or created with the use of the hand or arm will be disallowed ‘even if it is accidental’.

But Rice was angry at the decision, ranting to reporters after the game: “We are fuming. All the lads are livid. It is a kick in the teeth.

“I think they are the thoughts of every Premier League player, not just me - pretty much everyone doesn't want VAR in the game.”

And speaking on Saturday’s Weekend Sports Breakfast, Cascarino said he had a right to be angry and believes the introduction of VAR has changed football forever.

“I think from day one at the start of the season there have been too many outrageous [decisions],” said the former Chelsea striker.

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“And as much as we can say,’ that’s the law so it’s handball blah blah blah’, it is totally affecting football.

“The rules are contradicting each other.

“Watching an opponent head the ball to you from half a yard away while trying to close him down, how can you give that as handball?

“I just find it amazing. If I was a player, if I was Declan Rice, I’d be fuming and I think any Sheffield United player would be fuming if that happened to them.

“The referee has to recognise that was clearly accidental.

“It’s not deliberate, it’s totally accidental, and if you look at how close the two players are when it happened, how can you say that it was handball?

“Incidents like this are so outrageous, I don’t know where football is going.

“Football is going to change and VAR will get it right, it will get better eventually, but it has to give players more leeway, it has to.”