Crystal Palace players 'split' over late Brighton winner as James McArthur sparks VAR debate: 'It is not clear cut'
- Brighton beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round with a 87th-minute winner
- Glenn Murray's goal sparked debate, despite the use of VAR for the first time
- Replays showed the ball hit Murray's knee, before potential contact with his arm
- James McAthur says Palace dressing room was split, despite various replays
Crystal Palace's changing room was split after their FA Cup loss to Brighton, with half of the squad saying Glenn Murray's goal should have been disallowed and the other half disagreeing.
Despite the Video Assistant Referee system being available for the first time in English football, there was still a debate about Murray's 87th-minute winner.
Referee Andre Marriner told Palace's players it was not handball but, just like their supporters, the squad were left unsure after watching the television replays.
There was a debate after Brighton's late winner against rivals Crystal Palace in the FA Cup
The ball hit Glenn Murray's knee, but there was confusion over potential contact with his arm
'We got half the changing room saying it is a goal and half the changing room saying it is not,' McArthur said. 'Even that is not clear cut.
'Everyone is split. If there are 20-odd people looking at it and we are split, it is a obviously a very hard decision.
'It is one of those on the pitch you think it is a definite handball. But when you look at it, it is not as clear cut as that. It hit Glenn's knee and then we do not know if there is contact after that.'
Palace players argued with referee Andre Marriner, who is understood to have consulted VAR
James McArthur (right) admits the Palace dressing room was split after watching replays
VAR will also be trialled in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal. McArthur continued: 'It is hard for them (the officials). It is one of those that will probably not happen like that again. On the first night it is so hard to call. But it is done now.
'Maybe they did get it right and it did not touch Glenn's hand. He does not think it touches his hand.
'It is a hard one to be honest. There is so much money for clubs involved that you want mistakes out of the game. But at the same time is part of life in football that people make mistakes. We make mistakes and referees do. You have got opinions both ways.'
Monday night's FA Cup tie was the first time VAR was used in a competitive game in England
Murray applauds the Crystal Palace fans after the match, following a goal against his old side
The incident at the Amex Stadium left staff of both clubs, journalists and supporters confused as to whether VAR was used at the time.
It is understood Marriner did indeed speak to his video assistant Neil Swarbrick, though the referee decided against watching the footage on his pitchside monitor himself.
The Football Association feel VAR's first use in English football was a triumph.
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