Ange Postecoglou launched an extraordinary rant against technology in football despite Tottenham Hotspur claiming a 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool, and questioned why English fans would not stand up against relentless change.
Postecoglou, whose side took a first-leg lead through a controversial goal by teenage midfielder Lucas Bergvall, was on the touchline as referee Stuart Attwell produced the English game’s first in-stadium referee announcement, as part of a trial process.
After Bergvall was controversially not dismissed for a possible second bookable offence moments before scoring the winning goal, Postecoglou delivered a remarkable answer in which he expressed his surprise that English people – as “custodians of the game” – have allowed so many changes to the sport in recent years because of technology.
“I’m really surprised at how people in this country are so easily letting the game change so much so quickly,” said Postecoglou. “It’s changed more since VAR has come in since I’ve been involved than in the past 50 years. We never used to debate offsides, we never used to debate handballs, we never used to debate holding in the box, we never used to debate so many things.
“I mean, did everyone really love the announcement today? Did that give you a real buzz? I mean, seriously. My understanding of it is, this is what the people want. That’s what I keep getting told.
“I understand that and I understand that VAR is going to be there. Technology is going to be a part of life, but it’s like my wife and our kids. We know technology but she limits their screen time. Why? You know, to slow things down, I think.
Ange Postecoglou reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.Credit: Getty Images
“We’ve just got to be careful about constantly … why do we want to change the game so much? And I know I’m going to be the old bloke in the stands that keeps shouting ‘boo’ every time, and I’ll be the only one, but I just thought people would be a little bit more protective about the sanctity of the game.
“I think there’s a lot of confusion at the moment. That’s my belief, that the game is changing on the basis of technology, and I’m saying, ‘Why isn’t anyone speaking up about it?’ Especially in this country who, for all intents and purposes, you guys think you’re custodians of the game, you’ve got a song that says. ‘It’s coming home’.