Burnley co-owner JJ Watt criticises "truly disgraceful" decision for controversial Luton equaliser
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Updated 13/01/2024 at 10:43 GMT
JJ Watt branded the VAR decision to allow Luton's last-minute equaliser against Burnley "truly disgraceful". The Burnley co-owner claimed on social media that goalkeeper James Trafford was the victim of a "blatant and obvious" foul in the run up to Carlton Morris's goal for Luton. Watt’s team lost out on a crucial three points in the Premier League's relegation battle as a result of the decision.
J.J. Watt, Minority Owner of Burnley, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Burnley FC and West Ham United at Turf Moor on November 25, 2023 in Burnley, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
JJ Watt has criticised the decision to allow Luton a last-minute equaliser against Burnley last night.
The NFL legend and his wife Kealia, who has represented the United States women’s national football team, invested in Burnley in May 2023.
He has been an active presence at the club since, and shared his thoughts on Luton’s controversial equaliser on social media.
Burnley had been on the verge of securing a vital three points in the Premier League relegation battle when Carlton Morris headed in an equaliser to make it 1-1 in the 92nd minute.
VAR checked the goal after Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford claimed he had been fouled mid-air by Luton striker Elijah Adebayo.
But despite a lengthy check on the incident, VAR declined to rule out the goal.
"I'm new to this ownership thing, so if I get fined by the Premier League, so be it...," Watt posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"This is as blatant and obvious of a foul as you could have. To miss this on the field AND miss this on VAR is truly disgraceful."
The draw meant Burnley remained second from bottom in the Premier League table, four points off Luton in 18th.
Both Luton and bottom-placed Sheffield United have a game in hand on Burnley.
Vincent Kompany, who recently praised Watt for his "real leadership" during his time at Burnley, was also infuriated by the decision.
“I don’t get it any more,” he told TNT Sports following the conclusion of the match. “If we get a foul against us that is given as a penalty as soft as it did against Aston Villa, then what is this here?
“There is a clear attempt to stop the goalkeeper getting up. The referee has got to get it right.”
Kompany added: “First, I expect the referee to see it. It was that obvious. Luckily we’ve got VAR, we think ‘okay, that’s going to sort it out’.
"Then it rolls, it rolls, it rolls, lack of decision and that’s it, Burnley are 1-1."
Burnley now face a tough run of games, with matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal scheduled within the next five weeks.
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