VAR stole the headlines on a chilly night as Western United hosted Western Sydney Wanderers, with another goal line decision leaving fans utterly dumbfounded.

Meanwhile Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick delivered an almighty spray at the VAR after a decision denied his side a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Perth eaerleir on Sautrday.

In the later match, the game was poised at 1-1 in the second term when Western United’s veteran Australian striker Scott McDonald sent a bullet header towards goal from close range, only to hit the midriff of Wanderers keeper Daniel Lopar.

But the process of catching the ball arguably took it over the line, with McDonald vocally leading Western United’s appeals for a goal.

MATILDAS WIN IN FRONT OF RECORD CROWD

WESTERN UNITED ARE SECOND IN THE LEAGUE. THEY’VE ONLY PLAYED FIVE GAMES!

JETS FAIL TO CLAIM FIRST WIN AFTER 10-MAN PERTH SNATCH DRAW

The referee was not convinced, and VAR immediately undertook a review.

But the review occurred in rather ridiculous fashion, with VAR ‘drawing a line’ across the goal line and then vertically up to the ball in an attempt to prove the ball had not crossed the line.

That left many on social media wondering why the line was ruled through the middle of the goal line rather than the rear edge – since the ball had to completely cross the whole line and not just the middle to be a goal.

After nearly five minutes of deliberation, the referees confirmed the decision of no goal.

It is the second time in three weeks that VAR has had to rule on a controversial goal line call, with a Sydney derby goal also being denied by the referee (and leading to Robbie Slater’s entertaining post-match recreation).

Why isn’t the line on the edge? pic.twitter.com/aMQgpBmW7O — Daniel McBreen (@djmcbreen) November 9, 2019

Wrong... tell the var to put it in the right place and give the goal! Only refs would think that’s not a goal! https://t.co/rH7QdgsvEV — Brenton Speed (@BrentonSpeed) November 9, 2019

Do I need stronger glasses? Was that McDonald header not over the line? 🤷🏻‍♂️ — simonhill1894 (@simonhill1894) November 9, 2019

Thoughts? I’ve used Instagram, which admittedly is better tech than VAR, but still, you get the picture. pic.twitter.com/mbvSXbw2et — FootballFocusAU (@FootballFocusAU) November 9, 2019

Saturday’s earlier match also saw its fair share of VAR controversy, after Newcastle were denied an early penalty for a push on Nick Fitzgerald in the box.

The referee on-field, Jonathan Barreiro, decided it was no penalty. VAR eventually agreed.

Newcastle manager Ernie Merrick sent a stunning spray the referee’s direction in his post-match press-conference.

“Before we start, let’s get the penalty out of the way. Have you ever seen a more blatant penalty? A push in the back, extended arm in the penalty box. How is that not a penalty?” Merrick said.

Merrick was seen talking to the referee at half-time, but said he hadn’t received any clarification.

“When he wasn’t speaking Spanish, yes I spoke to him,” Merrick said.

“He speaks a lot of Spanish during the games and talks to the opposition a lot in Spanish. We’re in Australia, I would have thought he would be speaking English most of the time so we can all hear what he’s saying to his mates.”