Chris Wilder says “No VAR for 46 games and then it’s here for the final?” following Sheffield United’s defeat to Sunderland.
The Blades boss was left aggrieved, and questioned the use of VAR in the final after the full league season in the Championship without it.
He also highlighted the emotional toll on players, staff, and supporters, noting the team’s failure to capitalise on key moments.
Despite starting well and creating significant chances, Wilder felt the team was too loose in the second half, particularly on turnovers, and conceded a critical goal in the 95th minute despite being down to 10 men.
He acknowledged Sunderland’s ability to seize their opportunities while lamenting Sheffield United’s defensive lapses and inability to control the game or convert chances to secure a lead.
Wilder also referenced a subjective VAR decision but emphasised that the loss stemmed from mistakes with and without the ball, not just officiating.
“It will take quite a while to get over” 😕
Chris Wilder reacts to his Sheffield United side missing out on Premier League football 💔 pic.twitter.com/nK3hFdIvBo
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 24, 2025
🗣️ “It’s going to take a long time to get over.”
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder speaking after a defeat to Sunderland in the Championship playoff final #SUFC
Audio also available here 👉 https://t.co/ABemiSgYnq pic.twitter.com/RVGL94X13S
— Football Heaven (@footballheaven) May 24, 2025
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder speaking to Sky Sports:
“It’s going to take quite a while to get over, for the players, the staff and most importantly the supporters.
“Congratulations to Sunderland, the manager and the players for the achievements this season and going into the Premier League.
“It’s a tough one to take from our point of view. Defining moments in the game I get. We never really felt in danger even sort of second half. Of course they’ve got to open up and try and get back into the game we just needed to be better on that turnover.
“I think the biggest thing for us was we were too loose second half. We have that ability to sit in. They’re piling people forward and then we go and kill them on the counter attack and we never found that moment, we were loose.
“It was disappointing to concede the second goal in the 97th minute, I know we were down to 10-men but it goes up to the centre-forward and it’s loose again and they find the two moments.
“Everyone talks about stats, I think we had the biggest chances but stats doesn’t win you the game. They found their moments and we haven’t found our moments. They find themselves in the Premier League and we’ve got to go again.
“They’ve taken their opportunities. The goals are disappointing from our point of view. The manner of the goals, the shape of the team from that point of view – we can do so much better.
“I never felt we were under major threat. I thought we started off the game ever so well. I know there is going to be a subjective decision regarding the VAR.
“One thing I will say – I don’t think that having played 46 league games and two play-off games it all of sudden comes into play and I think their manager said that before the game but there we are, big moments.
“I think if we go 2-0 up we win the game comfortably, I think that really punctures them but I thought that gave them belief, that gave their supporters the belief and from that moment the last sort of 10 minutes of the first half and maybe the first 10 minutes of the second half gave them some energy.
“But I thought we got over that. Disappointed in terms of we never got control of the game and found those moments to go 2-0 or 3-0 up but never really felt in danger.
“There it is, you get punished for your mistakes with the ball and without the ball and we have done.”
💬 "It's a subjective decision by the referee"
🎤 Chris Wilder speaks to @HughWoozencroft after Sheffield United's playoff final loss pic.twitter.com/O33ULcLsii
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 24, 2025
Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris on Sky Sports Football:
“It was a weird game. We didn’t start it well, we were maybe a bit nervous. We knew before they could be clinical and they were.
“This game represents the way we have played this season; with resilience, with discipline.
“We got back in the game and we have talented players, so we can score.
“We were lucky because we had many options on the bench. We tried two or three different options and finally we found the solution, the players found the solution.
“You have to wait sometimes five, 10 minutes to analyse, to assess if it works or not, but in the end, it was a good decision.”
Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham told Sky Sports:
“It means everything to everyone here for all the staff, for everyone involved. It’s all the club have been aiming to achieve for eight years.
“Every single player has spoken about it when they have come here to get this club back to the Premier League and so many have failed but I take a lot of pride in saying that I am one of the players who has helped this great club get back to where it belongs.
“I always believed, you have to believe, when you have supporters like this and a group of lads like this, you have to believe.”
Jobe popped back at criticism about Sunderland’s five-match losing streak to end the season, saying:
“I know people doubted us, it was understandable, we lost a few games, people talk about momentum, but I think we did enough and showed enough in the season for people to give us some credit going into the play-offs.
“People say we are inexperienced but you get experience by failing and we have failed together so many times and in the end we’ve come good.
“Every single player has made a name for themselves here. Really proud.”
Sunderland goalkeeper and player of the match Anthony Patterson told Sky Sports:
“Honestly it’s in incredible, I don’t think I can put it into words, so proud of the boys, they stuck in right until the end and we got our rewards. I’m so happy.”
On his save after 70 seconds into the game and one made with his legs just before Sunderland’s equaliser :
“Obviously it’s great to make saves and help the team in that way but I’m just delighted that we’ve won the game.”
On playing for the club in League One and taking them into the Premier League:
“Honestly I’ve not even thought about it, it’s not even sunk in what’s happening but I’m gonna enjoy every moment now.”
Sunderland captain Dan Neil is a lifelong Black Cats supporter and has been speaking to Sky Sports:
“This whole city has come together in the last two weeks.
“That’s what Sunderland football club is – it resonates with all the people and when it comes together it’s a powerful thing.
“For it to end with a last minute winner in the semi-final and then today it’s not even what dreams are made of because you wouldn’t dream of something like that.
“It’s been a massive team effort and that’s our biggest strength – the team.
“I don’t know when it will sink in but we’re going to have a heck of a party because it’s been a season of ups and downs and this game sums it up, going 1-0 down, keep fighting and we got there in the end”
Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien, who had to go off after just three minutes with a dislocated shoulder, told Sky Sports:
“It’s probably my best game since joining the club!
“I’m so proud of this club and these boys – I can’t believe what’s just happened.
“I’ve never felt anxiety like that – but the gaffer said if you get one goal who knows what can happen.
“Those boys, Tommy Watson – Sunderland legend. They’re all Sunderland legends. I am just delighted to play a part in the happiness. What am I saying, I didn’t play a part, I did nothing.
“I was just there on the side watching – I covered more ground celebrating when Eliezer and Tommy scored.”
Sunderland match-winner Tom Watson, 19, told Sky Sports: “I can’t really put it into words… it’s unbelievable.
“We’ll see each other next year in the Premier League, in the big time.”
He said he had 100% been imagining a contribution like this, adding: “I’ve been thinking about this for weeks, I think it was written, I couldn’t have pictured it any better.
“I got closed down, saw a little gap and just used him (to curl into the corner).”
Here’s how fans reacted as Chris Wilder says No VAR for 46 games and then it’s here for the final?…
@SteH90: Oh God I was saying this. Does this mean I am Chris Wilder?! It is ridiculous that 99.9% of Championship games didn’t have it but the Final did.
@peterdavis1986: Chris Wilder coming out and complaining about VAR being used. Shame innit, if you’d not lost your head and blown your season in a week by losing to Oxford, Plymouth and Millwall, you wouldn’t have had to worry about the play offs. Couldn’t have happened to a bigger tosser…
@gavp77: Had it. Lost it. It’s our fault for not being able to handle the pressure and keep the ball. I see so many other teams able to play under pressure. We panic, lose our composure, and lose any kind of rhythm. This stems from the management. The football we play is shocking.
@The_Bladesman: That goal would’ve stood a few weeks ago. Don’t care if it’s the correct decision or not, there shouldn’t be different rules in games in the same competition. #twitterblades #sufc
@luke_lukewalton: Literally this. I don’t wear the rose tinted glasses and happy to have a debate with anyone but how the fuck can you play 46 games without VAR and then use it in the play off final. Disgusting. Robbing fans of memories for a lifetime.
@goldsize: I agree mate. That Prem VAR shite I despise with a passion should be nowhere near the championship in a single game its all or nothing. Ruins the integrity of the league, should av been 2-0 & Sheff utd probably promoted now simple as that. My mind will not be changed!! #FuckVAR
@DarthSteelios:
But ultimately tho, 2 Kieffer Moore fuck ups cost us that.
Doesn’t square it to a wide open Campbell and gives the ball away.
Nevermind.
We go again.
@mtate89: Fucking excuses, pathetic 🤣
@neilbartrop: Been waiting for this 😂 #swfc #sufc
@Guysley: Chin up pal, you’ve 46 more games with no VAR
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