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SPORTS BRIEF – Former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, has praised the ‘honest’ use of the Video Assistant Referee at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations.
Referees at the tournament have received huge applause for their effective use of the technology, with no controversies marring the tournament.
Prior to the final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast on Sunday night, the ex-AS Roma gaffer said he had hoped for the best conclusion to the competition in Abidjan.
Mourinho also admitted that he had been watching AFCON more than European football, per The News Chronicle:
“They are simply teaching us, to be honest. In AFCON, VAR is used exactly the way it should be used. They do not use it to help the money magnet teams or famous teams. This is why you saw the best out of every team, because they know VAR is not hired behind the scenes, but is for everyone.”
The Portuguese tactician went on to praise the referees for handling protests from players in a professional manner, accusing their colleagues in Europe of unnecessarily punishing players and coaches when they ask for a review.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge