Radcliffe FC joint manager Anthony Johnson fumes at a controversial VAR decision and expresses his love for non league football.
Johnson was like everyone watching the Euro 2024 last 16 fixture between Germany and Denmark on Saturday night (30th June).
Joachim Andersen had his goal for Denmark ruled out for offside, with just a toe poking out, and then straight after, a cross hits his hand from close range. After it showed up on the snick-o-meter, Michael Oliver awarded a penalty to Germany after a VAR referral…. Kai Havertz converted to make it 1-0 before Jamal Musiala doubled his side’s lead not long after.
A terrible few minutes for Joachim Andersen š¬#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #GERDEN pic.twitter.com/0jcuao7vLx
ā BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 29, 2024
The Danish boss was not a happy man following his side’s exit from the tournament. #BBCEuros #Euro2024 #GERDEN pic.twitter.com/ujFIz1Cj56
ā BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 29, 2024
Anthony Johnson put out two tweets, writing: “Iām starting to hate footballā¦ Not a deliberate handball. Hand in a natural position. VAR is shit! Non-league football crowds are rising for a reasonā¦ #FckVAR”
And he is right, so many fans have grown frustrated with Premier League football that average crowds at non league level has risen.
Part of the anger stems from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system used in the top flight.
According to a recent survey, as per BBC Sport, almost two-thirds of supporters oppose VAR in English football, with 79.1% of match-goers rating their VAR experience as poor or very poor.
Additionally, rising costs of living and reduced matchday also contributes to fans seeking alternative football experiences, such as non-league matches.
Radcliffe will be playing in the 6th tier of English football, the National League North, having won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in front of an average crowd of 1,253.
Iām starting to hate footballā¦
Not a deliberate handball. Hand in a natural position.
VAR is shit!
— Anthony Johnson (@amjonno) June 29, 2024
Non-league football crowds are rising for a reasonā¦#FckVAR
— Anthony Johnson (@amjonno) June 29, 2024
Twitter users reacted as Radcliffe FC joint manager Anthony Johnson fumes at a controversial VAR decision and expresses his love for non league football…
@Brightonfan: Went to Eastleigh vs Solihull Moors back in March, saw a 3-3 thriller. No VAR, cheap beer and great food. Loved every minute of it, even though we (Brighton) got pumped by Fulham away but it didnāt really upset me. š
@PeterTurne43331: And every year, a non-league club punches above its weight in the greatest cup competition in the world. This year, it was the turn of Maidstone United. Next year, it could be your local non-league club!
@cd121299: Not just VAR, the cost too is driving people to it. Iād guess last season following @Ashington_FC I spent less on season ticket, shirts, away travel and beer for a full season than what a Newcastle season ticket would be by itself. Need to up my drinking game š.
@bally1001: Itās proper football mate, the pure game. Although Iām a Forest fan I find it boring watching tippy tippy football. Got a few mates who go and watch non league or lower league instead now.
@trickyvegas: That and being able to stand on a terrace and drink a pint at leisure rather than trying to throw one down at halftime in a concrete bunker.
@Kaiserwilson69: Saturday afternoon 3pm ko. We jump a train and watch anyone.
@bullyefc: Give me grassroots over any division, I would happily watch the Dog & Duck v Red lion FC any weekend
@davidandheide: Top level Football has become purely a television sport now just like NFL. Built around advertising and punditry in a 3 hour package. We left the joy of the game on the school playing fields and jumper for goalposts of yesteryear
@peterweller1955: Yes, I go to National League and Women’s Super League matches in London now. NO VAR at all.
@shenobi78: Best thing I ever did was switching to watch my local non league club š«”
@qwertyop80: Itās sure nice to be able to celebrate goals with certainty!
@SteveWilliams__: Exactly this. Back to proper, honest football.
@RandomForest44: Yup. Looking forward to our meetings this season. Radcliffe away on a Tuesday night under the lights š
@CallumBradke: Amen to that
@bianchiboy8: Iām in Canterbury, if there was a good non league club Iād be there.
@ChefAntMac: Went to see @Matlock_TownFC last season and the whole day was an absolute tonic. Well priced, well supported, free kids, social club, the lot. Proper day out. If I didnāt live 11,500 miles away, Iād be there every game.
@Harri21263Steve: I had the memorable experience last season of questioning a refās decision from the terraceā¦ā¦. then dissolving into gales of laughter when he smiled and made a ācalm downā gesture at me. THAT is non league football. š¤£
@Richie_CFC125s: Games fucked š #Var
@MarkFCHT: Non League football is what’s left of the working man’s game. Where you can watch a game and have beer and food for less than Ā£50 with your son/ daughter. Where players come over and thank you for supporting your club away from home.
@cowafcley: Bang on loved being back at @ashtontownfc today 200 plus for a pre season friendly are numbers that were dreamt about during the season years back
@Custardboy2: 100% š @SouthernLeague1
@tom_breedon: Every goal the refs are looking for any excuse to disallow it, every ricochet in the box they’re looking for any excuse to give a penalty. It’s embarrassing.
@Dronfield_SAFC: PGMOL lads proving theyāre worth their salt š¤„
@CurnainC: I’ve chosen to stop watching the elite competitions and would rather watch @EFL
@farmra: Snickometer š when did that become a thing in football
@GregStan83: Itās not āfootballā Jonno, itās top level footballā¦ Fucking awful.. Viva le Non Leagueā¦
@Licha0741: Yep. VAR is ruining football. When we are games we canāt even celebrate goals properly because you always think what if!
@duncanyoung68:h This is why I love non leagueā¦
@BallinginSurrey: Give me Non League all day long š
Beautiful š
ā Anthony Johnson (@amjonno) June 29, 2024
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