Chris Sutton has vehemently refuted Graeme Souness’s accusations of bias and attempting to influence VAR decisions. Souness suggested that Sutton had a hand in VAR calls during their commentary at Ibrox, but Sutton denied any wrongdoing, expressing his strong disapproval of simulation in football.
The controversy stemmed from an incident involving Fabio Silva, where a VAR review led to a penalty being awarded against the home team. Despite Souness’s claims that pundits could sway VAR decisions, Sutton stood by his judgment based on what he saw and criticized Silva’s actions as simulation.
Sutton clarified that his assessment was unbiased and not influenced by any allegiance towards Celtic or Rangers. He questioned Souness’s objectivity, noting the former Rangers manager’s possible partiality. Sutton firmly believed that Silva’s actions warranted a penalty and criticized the overturning of the initial decision by referee John Beaton.
Sutton’s unwavering stance on fair play and his condemnation of diving in football were evident in his response to Souness’s allegations. He stressed the importance of eliminating simulation from the game and reiterated his position on the VAR controversy, indicating that the incident was not a clear refereeing error.
In a surprising twist, Souness had been a guest at Celtic Park during a match where Brendan Rodgers’s side emerged victorious. Despite his past attempts to secure a formal role at Ibrox, a suitable agreement could not be reached earlier in the season.
