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Villa Park Chaos Raises Questions About VAR’s Effectiveness

Newcastle United emerged victorious over Aston Villa in the FA Cup’s fourth round, with the contest marked by several disputed calls in the absence of video assistant referee technology.

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Sandro Tonali's performance inspires Newcastle to secure a win over Aston Villa, who were reduced to ten men.

Is there a more compelling argument for the use of video assistant referees (VAR) than what was witnessed in this match?

Newcastle's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round was marked by controversy, with several key decisions made without the aid of VAR, which is not introduced until the fifth round.

For the current and previous FA Cup seasons, VAR has not been utilized until the fifth round, leaving many fans to experience football without the interruptions caused by technology.

Referee Chris Kavanagh faced numerous challenging decisions, including an offside goal, a potential penalty, and several other contentious calls, which may have impacted the outcome of the game.

Despite being on the receiving end of most of the disputed calls, Newcastle progressed to the next round, but manager Eddie Howe expressed his frustration with the officiating.

Tammy Abraham's goal for Villa was ruled onside, despite appearing to be offside, while Lucas Digne's handball should have resulted in a penalty rather than a free-kick, and the defender was also fortunate to avoid a red card for a reckless challenge.

Howe noted that while the absence of VAR can lead to a more exciting and immersive experience for fans, it also means that accurate results may not always be achieved.

"The presence of VAR can provide more precise decision-making, which is invaluable in critical moments," Howe said.

"However, when VAR is available, officials may rely on it to correct their decisions, potentially leading to a decrease in their own decision-making abilities."

"I have mixed feelings about VAR; on one hand, it's wonderful to experience the raw emotion of a goal without interruptions, but on the other hand, I wished VAR was available to review the goal scored against us and other key moments in the game."

Aston Villa will likely reflect on the red card given to goalkeeper Marco Bizot and the potential offside position of Dan Burn during Newcastle's equalizing goal.

Villa manager Unai Emery stated, "Today's events demonstrate the necessity of VAR in assisting referees."

After a season where VAR has been a frequent topic of discussion, does this weekend's events highlight the potential issues that arise when it's not used?

Former England striker Alan Shearer commented, "Referees have become accustomed to relying on VAR for several months, and it's challenging for them to adjust to not having it in high-pressure games."

"It's difficult to criticize the officials, given their reliance on VAR for an extended period, but it's essential for them to perform their duties accurately, even without the aid of technology."

"The absence of VAR in this match has exposed the potential damage it has caused to referees' decision-making abilities, as they appear hesitant to make calls without the safety net of technology."

"Today's events serve as evidence of the impact VAR has had on referees, making them more reliant on technology and less confident in their own abilities."

The FA Cup does not utilize VAR until the fifth round, raising questions about the consistency of refereeing decisions.

Tonali's double helps Newcastle overcome Aston Villa and advance to the next round.

Newcastle secured a comeback victory over Aston Villa to reach the FA Cup fifth round.

Replays clearly showed that Abraham's goal should have been disallowed for offside, while the decision not to award a penalty for Digne's handball was widely criticized.

Digne was clearly inside the penalty area when he committed the handball, but the referee awarded a free-kick instead, which ultimately led to Tonali's equalizing goal.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney described the decision as "one of the worst" he has seen, given that Digne was clearly inside the penalty area.

"The linesman had a clear view of the incident and should have intervened to correct the referee's mistake," Rooney added.

"The referee seemed to be influenced by the linesman, but the decision was still incorrect, and it's shocking that it was not rectified."

Former Newcastle forward Alan Shearer said, "While the referee might have been excused for not seeing the incident clearly, there is no excuse for the assistant referee, who had a clear view of the handball."

"The assistant referee's failure to intervene and correct the decision is inexcusable, given the clarity of the incident and the significance of the moment."

"At this level, the assistant referee should be able to make the correct call, and it's not a difficult decision; in fact, it's a straightforward one."

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Newcastle felt aggrieved by the offside goal scored by Abraham, which gave Villa the lead.

Abraham scored the opening goal for Villa.

Newcastle had recently experienced a marginal VAR decision, which disallowed a goal for Joe Willock due to a minor offside infringement.

Abraham's goal was the type of clear error that VAR was introduced to correct.

With VAR, the goal would have been disallowed due to Abraham's clear offside position.

While the assistant referee might have been affected by the switch between systems, it's essential for them to raise their flag when they identify an offside, regardless of the presence of VAR.

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Shearer believed that Digne should have been sent off for his "dangerous tackle."

The question remains whether Digne's tackle warranted a red card.

The question remains whether the VAR would have intervened to issue a red card to Digne for his late tackle on Jacob Murphy, but based on Premier League precedents, it's uncertain.

In similar instances, the VAR has cited minimal contact to justify upholding a yellow card decision, as seen in Diogo Dalot's challenge on Jeremy Doku during the Manchester derby last month.

Digne's speed approaching the tackle increased the likelihood of a red card upon review, but the outcome is still far from clear.

However, Digne avoided making contact with Murphy's shin, and the quick withdrawal of his foot may have been a mitigating factor.

It's possible that the on-field decision, whether a yellow or red card, would have been allowed to stand.

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Villa goalkeeper Bizot received a straight red card before halftime, prompting the question, 'What was he thinking?'

The incident raised questions about whether it constituted serious foul play or denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity (Dogso).

In reality, the situation could have been classified as either, as Bizot's knee-high challenge on Murphy, although not with studs leading, was a significant foul.

At the time of the foul, Newcastle had a 3-on-1 advantage, with only Luiz back to defend, but Dogso would only apply to the player directly affected, Murphy.

The VAR would consider the direction of the ball and whether Luiz could have intercepted the shot, in determining whether to apply Dogso.

While a case can be made for Dogso, it's likely that the on-field decision would have been upheld, much like the Digne incident.

Did Digne commit handball in the penalty area, a question that arises from the incident.

It's puzzling how referee Chris Kavanagh and his assistant arrived at the decision to award a free-kick, given the circumstances.

Throughout the sequence, Digne remained inside the penalty area, from the moment Kieran Trippier played the cross to the instant he handled the ball.

Even after committing the handball, Digne continued to walk within the box, highlighting the error in the original decision.

The VAR would have required only a brief moment to correct the free-kick decision and award a penalty instead.

A question mark hangs over whether Burn was offside when Newcastle scored their equalizer.

Although Newcastle ultimately scored through Tonali from the resulting free-kick, the goal could have been disallowed if VAR had been in use.

As Trippier delivered the free-kick, Burn ran across the front of the Villa defense, potentially in an offside position.

Burn's actions, including pushing down on Abraham and jumping in front of substitute goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, may have influenced the play, even if he didn't touch the ball.

If the semi-automated technology had determined Burn to be offside, the goal would likely have been ruled out, although it would have been a close call.

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Former President Obama responds to racist video tweeted by Trump comparing him to an ape

A former US president expressed concern over the decline of “shame” and “decorum” in public office, without directly referencing Trump.

In a recent podcast interview, former President Barack Obama touched on the decline of civility in public discourse, implying that a sense of shame and decorum has been lost among some public officials, in an apparent reference to a racist video shared by President Donald Trump's social media account.

Obama seen on the campaign trail in November 2025
Obama seen on the campaign trail in November 2025

The video in question featured a clip portraying Obama and his wife Michelle as apes, sparking widespread condemnation from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

Initially, the White House defended the video, dismissing criticism as "fake outrage," but later attributed the post to a staff member and removed it.

Obama's comments came during a conversation with liberal podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen, who asked the former president about the state of political discourse, citing Trump's video as one example of recent controversies.

The offending clip, set to the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," was appended to a video posted on Trump's Truth Social account, which contained unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election.

The post prompted outrage from politicians across the aisle, including senior members of Trump's own Republican Party.

Republican Senator Tim Scott, the sole black Republican senator, denounced the video as "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House."

The clip appears to have originated from an X post by conservative meme creator Xerias in October and recalls racist caricatures that have historically compared black people to monkeys.

When questioned by reporters, Trump claimed he had not seen the part of the video depicting the Obamas.

Trump also stated that he did not believe he had made a mistake and had no intention of apologizing.

The 47-minute podcast episode, released on Saturday, began with Cohen asking Obama to share his thoughts on the current state of US discourse, which Obama described as having "devolved to a level of cruelty that we haven't seen before."

Cohen referenced White House claims that victims of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are "domestic terrorists" and noted that Trump had recently shared an image of Obama's face superimposed on an ape's body.

Obama responded by emphasizing that most Americans find such behavior "deeply troubling."

He acknowledged that such actions can be attention-grabbing and serve as a distraction.

However, Obama noted that during his travels across the US, he has met many people who still value "decency, courtesy, kindness."

He contrasted this with the "clown show" that often plays out on social media and television.

Obama expressed concern that some individuals who once adhered to certain standards of decorum and respect for public office now seem to operate without shame.

This shift, he implied, marks a significant loss of dignity and civility in public life.

Notably, Obama did not mention Trump by name during his response.

The wide-ranging interview also covered topics such as Obama's support for peaceful protesters opposing immigration operations, his thoughts on electoral redistricting, and his upcoming presidential library in Chicago, scheduled to open next year.

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Forensic Evidence Exposes Man’s False Claim of Girlfriend’s Death in Car Accident

Jenna Watkins was abandoned by her boyfriend on a secluded mountain road, with him alleging that her death occurred as a result of a vehicular accident.

A nighttime search for a missing brother led two men down a remote mountain road, where they had been informed his car had been involved in an accident.

Jenna Watkins is a white woman in her early 20s in a head and shoulders photo. She has dyed black hair which is shoulder length with a fringe. She is wearing an off the shoulder white top and a long silver necklace with large beads starting at her collarbone. She is wearing make up and looks like she is on a night out. She is smiling straight at the camera. The background is black.
Jenna Watkins was fun and sociable, but very afraid of her boyfriend

Upon locating the vehicle, they discovered the body of a young woman, 21-year-old Jenna Watkins, lying nearby, while their brother was nowhere to be found.

Initially, it appeared that Jenna had been ejected from the car and fatally injured in the crash on the Bwlch mountain road in south Wales, a tragic accident that, although unfortunate, was not uncommon.

However, a subsequent examination of Jenna's body revealed a different story, one that is detailed in a new documentary about the case.

Just prior to the fatal incident on 21 April 2007, Jenna's mother, Pauline, received a disturbing and final phone call from her daughter.

Pauline recalled that around 10 pm, Jenna called her, screaming and crying, and she could hear the car in the background, with the driver, Jason Shaddick, yelling at Jenna.

Pauline attempted to calm Jenna down, advising her to put on her seatbelt, as she feared for her daughter's safety due to the sound of the car and Shaddick's aggressive behavior.

The phone call abruptly ended, leaving Pauline in a state of distress.

Jason Shaddick, Jenna's partner, was the individual being searched for by his brothers.

Police headshot of Jason Shaddick. He is a white man in his 20s with close cropped dark brown hair and green eyes. He is wearing a blue top. He is unsmiling and looking straight at the camera.
Jason Shaddick had been violent towards Jenna previously

The couple resided together in Neath, where they were known to the community.

Dr Richard Shepherd, a former Home Office forensic pathologist, shared his expertise with the BBC One Wales series, The Truth About My Murder, stating that the initial evidence suggested a tragic road traffic accident.

Typically, front seat passengers who wear seatbelts suffer from chest, rib, and breastbone injuries due to the immense pressure of the impact.

However, Dr Shepherd noted that Jenna did not exhibit these injuries, leading him to suggest that she may have been thrown from the car at the time of the crash.

Further examination revealed severe bruising on Jenna's body, particularly on her legs and head, but Dr Shepherd observed that there were no typical abrasions associated with someone hitting the road.

The initial theory of a car accident began to raise questions, as the evidence did not seem to add up.

Daylight investigations at the scene also sparked concerns, as Jenna was found face down with her jewelry and possessions scattered around her, which seemed inconsistent with the initial accident theory.

Pauline Watkins is a white woman in late middle age. She has dyed blonde shoulder-length hair with a fringe. She wears a V-necked royal blue dress with a pattern of large white, red and black flowers on it and a gold chain with an unseen locked underneath the dress. She wears rimless glasses and turquoise drop earrings. She wears blue eye shadow and red lipstick and is looking directly at the camera with a very slight smile. She is seated on a sofa in a living room, with standard light gold poles behind her.
Pauline Watkins said Jenna used to "spoil me rotten"

Insp Emma White, the family liaison officer, stated that the scene did not appear to be consistent with someone being thrown from a vehicle, based on the condition of the windows and other factors.

As the investigation continued, Pauline received a visit from the police that would change her life forever.

Pauline recalled that she tried to avoid hearing the devastating news, refusing to sit down and attempting to talk over the officer, as she sensed what he was about to say.

Jason Shaddick was initially missing, but after an appeal, he appeared at Neath police station, where he declined to answer any questions.

With limited information available, the pathology team's work became crucial in uncovering the truth.

Fatal neck injuries are common in individuals ejected from moving vehicles, but the examination of Jenna's neck revealed a different story, with her larynx crushed, suggesting extreme pressure had been applied.

Dr Shepherd stated that this, combined with the distribution of bruising and lack of bone fractures, led him to suspect that Jenna's death may have been caused by strangulation.

When presented with this information, Shaddick responded in writing, providing his version of events.

According to Insp White, Shaddick claimed that he had crashed the car because Jenna was assaulting him, and he was acting in self-defense.

Shaddick alleged that he had put his arm around Jenna to calm her down, and it was only when she went limp that he realized he had accidentally killed her.

As Shaddick continued to refuse to answer questions, the police turned to others to gather more information about Jenna and the couple's relationship.

Emma White is a white woman in middle age. She has dyed blonde hair pulled back into a low bun or ponytail. She wears a black zip-up jacket with two strips of blue and white check pattern across the best and arms with a badge reading "Heddlu Police" underneath the right one as the camera sees it. She is lightly made up. Behind her slightly out of focus is an office with a large screen on the wall, with two silver police crests displayed on it.
Insp Emma White was the family liaison officer during the murder investigation

Pauline shared that Jenna had a close call with meningitis as a toddler, which made her more determined to take extra care of her youngest child.

Jenna often brought gifts and treats for her mother, wanting to make her happy.

Shaddick, 28, and Jenna were known in the area as a fun-loving couple who enjoyed socializing, with Shaddick working in a car parts factory and Jenna working in a call center, both in Swansea.

The couple was affectionately referred to as "the Hollywood couple" due to their stylish clothing.

However, their relationship had a darker side, with reports of intense arguments and violent outbursts.

Insp White stated that the couple would often have loud, heated arguments, with Jenna sometimes having to defend herself physically.

Pauline had previously found one of Jenna's broken necklaces outside her house, which raised concerns about Shaddick's behavior.

Pauline Watkins as a young mother. She has Short light brown hair and is wearing makeup and drop red earrings. She wears a dark blue top. She holds baby Jemma who is less than a year old and is wearing a white or pink ruffly top. The picture is from a professional studio. Both look to the right of the picture.
Jenna was the youngest of Pauline's three children

Insp White noted that this incident, combined with Shaddick's history of controlling behavior, raised red flags, particularly given the similarities to the crime scene.

Pauline described Shaddick's behavior as controlling and possessive, with Jenna often changing her clothes to avoid his disapproval.

Pauline characterized Shaddick as "horrible" and "nasty," with a history of violent behavior.

Insp White discovered that Shaddick had previous convictions for assaulting a former girlfriend, which further supported the suspicions of a troubled relationship.

Pauline had previously expressed concerns to Jenna about her safety, warning her that Shaddick might hurt her or worse.

Pauline recalled questioning Jenna about bruises on her body, urging her to leave Shaddick and come home, as she feared for her daughter's safety.

The post-mortem examination conducted by Dr. Shepherd revealed evidence of old bruising on Jenna's body, suggesting she had suffered heavy blows, likely from a clenched fist.

Injuries found on Jenna's cheeks and chin contradicted Shaddick's claim of being a victim of her aggression, indicating that his account was false.

According to Dr. Shepherd, bite marks were discovered, which appeared to have been inflicted with significant force.

The nature of Jenna's wounds suggested that she was the victim of an attack, rather than the aggressor.

On the evening prior to her death, Jenna and Shaddick attended a party in Port Talbot, where they argued, and Jenna departed before Shaddick followed her in his car.

Pauline, in early middle age, and Jenna as a teenager. They are both dressed up. Pauline has layered, short blonde hair, is wearing makeup and diamante necklace and earrings. She has a black scoop neck top with ruffles at the edges and short, slightly see through lacy sleeves. Jenna has long dark hair and a fringe. She is tanned and wears a strapless white dress with red detailing either side. She has a number of very large hoop earrings and a silver chain with a pendant at the end. They are standing in front of curtains and both are smiling broadly.
Pauline has kept Jenna's bedroom exactly as it was when she died as it is where "I always feel close to her"

Shaddick alleged that the argument continued in the car due to Jenna's supposed cocaine use, which he disapproved of, and claimed he bit her in self-defense after she grabbed his testicles.

Toxicology results showed that Jenna had no cocaine in her system and had consumed very little alcohol.

In contrast, the tests revealed that Shaddick had used cocaine and had high levels of alcohol in his system at the time.

Dr. Shepherd noted that Jenna's body exhibited signs of a desperate attempt to defend herself, but ultimately, she was overpowered, bitten, and strangled in a headlock that ended her life rapidly.

Shaddick was subsequently charged with murder and stood trial.

On November 28, 2007, he was found guilty of Jenna's murder and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 13 years, before being released in February 2021.

For Pauline, the sentence imposed on Shaddick was insufficient.

"Thirteen years is far too lenient," she said. "The thought of him resuming his life is unbearable, and it fills me with anger every time I visit Jenna's grave."

Pauline has preserved Jenna's childhood bedroom in its original state since her death.

"This room holds great sentimental value for me, and I feel closest to Jenna here," she said. "I also keep her photos with me at all times, so I can see her and feel her presence."

For Pauline, the passage of 18 years has not diminished her grief, and like many other bereaved mothers, she has found it impossible to move on.

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Scotland Enjoys Flawless Day in Stunning Performance

According to Tom English, Scotland delivered a performance that was quintessentially them, full of thrilling moments and unpredictable twists, making for a thoroughly captivating display.

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Townsend reflects on Scotland's decisive win over England.

In the aftermath of Scotland's resounding victory, captain Sione Tuipulotu discussed the team's traumatic experience following their loss in Rome the previous week, describing it as a painful ordeal that now feels like a distant memory.

Tuipulotu revealed that he had never felt such intense hurt after a game as he did after the Italy match, and that he had internalized the pain before unleashing it on England.

The Scotland captain's words suggested a sense of introspection and emotional release, as if he had worked through his feelings and emerged stronger on the other side.

Meanwhile, coach Gregor Townsend chose his words carefully, avoiding any temptation to criticize his detractors or gloat over the win.

Townsend's stoic demeanor belied the significance of the victory, giving no hint of the satisfaction he must have felt at proving his critics wrong.

The past week had been particularly challenging for Townsend, but the win over England provided a measure of redemption, at least for the time being, and reinforced his belief in the team's potential.

However, the question remains whether Scotland can replicate this level of intensity and performance when the stakes are lower and the opposition is less formidable.

With the Rome debacle still fresh in their minds, Scotland were able to channel their emotions into a dominant display against England, but the challenge now is to find similar motivation for their upcoming match against Wales in Cardiff.

The next test for Scotland is just around the corner, and it's another must-win encounter.

Scotland's victory was a testament to the team's resilience and Townsend's leadership, with Tuipulotu playing a key role in the win.

England's error-prone performance ultimately cost them the game, as they failed to live up to their reputation in the oldest Test match at Murrayfield.

Scotland's stunning Calcutta Cup win was a resounding statement of their capabilities, as they swept aside a lackluster England team.

However, the victory came at a cost, with three key players – Jack Dempsey, Jamie Ritchie, and Jamie Dobie – ruled out of the upcoming match against Wales due to injury.

The loss of these players is a significant blow, but Townsend has faith in his backup options and is confident that the team can build on their momentum and secure another win.

The pressure has now shifted to England, who must confront their own doubts and concerns after a disappointing performance.

A pertinent question for England is why they consistently struggle to match Scotland's intensity and passion, and whether it's time for them to re-examine their own approach.

Tuipulotu had spoken about his team's desperation to prove themselves against England, and they delivered a dominant performance that exceeded expectations.

The win was a masterclass in controlled aggression, with Scotland combining skill, intelligence, and ruthlessness to devastating effect.

The match was notable for its individual performances, with every Scotland player contributing to the team's success, both in attack and defense.

The team's collective effort was a testament to their character and determination, as they stood up for themselves, their coach, and their supporters.

The latest podcast episode discusses Scotland's impressive win and their resurgence in the Calcutta Cup.

One of the most striking aspects of the match was the sense of surrealism that pervaded the occasion, with Scotland's dominance defying expectations.

The fact that Scotland had secured a bonus point and were 18 points clear of England was a remarkable turnaround, given the pre-match predictions.

What was particularly noteworthy, however, was the absence of Scotland's traditional weaknesses, both on and off the pitch, which allowed them to maintain their composure and secure the win.

In recent seasons, Scotland have often been prone to mental lapses and conceding big leads, but on this occasion, they showed a newfound resilience and focus.

The lack of anxiety and self-doubt that often accompanies Scotland's performances was a welcome change, replaced by a sense of confidence and conviction.

England's attempts to mount a comeback were met with a fierce resistance from Scotland, who demonstrated a perfect balance of ambition and pragmatism.

The combination of Finn Russell's creative genius and the team's collective ferocity proved unbeatable, as they delivered a performance that was both exhilarating and entertaining.

Scotland's psychology is a fascinating topic, with the team's unpredictability and tendency to defy expectations making them a captivating and often bewildering spectacle to watch.

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