Skip to Content

VAR farce invokes unseen side of Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa

VAR farce invokes unseen side of Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa

Mystery has always surrounded Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa.

An enigmatic figure to say the least, even after spending four decades at the helm of various clubs, very little is known about the Argentine.

His antics on the touchline aren’t exactly expressive either as the 66-year-old is usually seen observing games seated on a bucket, only getting up to bark the occasional instruction at his players.

Nonetheless, the farce that VAR can be, managed to draw out a reaction from someone as reserved as Bielsa.

It all occurred during Leeds’ game at West Ham.

A thrilling 5 goal affair which eventually finished 3-2 in favour of the Whites due to a Jack Harrison Hattrick.

While they did manage to clinch the crucial points, Leeds almost gained a 2 goal advantage, after a Raphinha cross was stroked home by Mateusz Klich.

Unfortunately, instead of gaining a safety cushion, Leeds were instead on the receiving end of perhaps the unluckiest VAR call of the season.

Before hitting the back of the net, the ball received the bare minimum touch from Rodrigo who was in an offside position.

While the deflection did not compromise the direction of the strike, the rules had to be adhered to and the goal was chalked off.

The decision did not go down well with the fans in the away end, and even Marcelo Bielsa looked ticked off.

In a rare sight, Bielsa offered sarcastic claps to the officials and even gave a derisive thumbs up before taking his seat and proceeding to angrily mouth away.

Who knows what scathing reaction the Argentine might have produced had Leeds lost, perhaps some other day then.