I don’t understand the point of VAR

Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, speaking to Sky Sports: “I thought we played alright.

“Defensively away from home we have been poor – we have to fix that.

“We created a lot, but we didn’t take our chances. We cannot blame anything else but ourselves.

“But, today wasn’t our day.”

On a potential ankle injury and penalty call: “Really sore. Not too sure how good my ankle will be.

“I have watched it back and it is a clear penalty. I don’t mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch, but I don’t understand the point of VAR.

“He [Sofyan Amrabat] goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back.

“I knew straight away, that is why I didn’t appeal. I waited for the VAR to check, I told my team-mates ‘it was a clear penalty‘. I don’t understand the point of it, either get rid of it or get better – it’s that simple.

“I think I am quite fond of it. Fond of the idea and it should work, but there are too many mistakes.”

On his hopes of Euro 2024: “I won’t let a sore ankle get in the way of that.”