Reason why Dean Henderson escaped red card as Wayne Rooney fumes 'get rid of VAR'

goalkeeper Dean Henderson was fortunate not to be shown a red card during the final against Manchester City - and VAR have explained why he was not dismissed. The 28-year-old palmed the ball outside of his penalty area to prevent Erling Haaland from racing on to a long ball, but VAR opted not to intervene.

The decision left City baffled, as well as the BBC punditry team, who were convinced that Henderson had denied City a clear goalscoring opportunity by slapping the ball out of Haaland's reach. was particularly vocal in how he was frustrated by the call, going as far as saying the decision was evidence as to why VAR should be scrapped.

Speaking on BBC One, Rooney said: "It's a red card. 100 per cent, it's a red card. Haaland is about to knock it round him and as we see, he sweeps the ball away. It's a red card, how can they get this wrong?"

Ex-City defender Micah Richards added: "It's a red card, no debate, it was outside. They can talk about whatever ruling they want but..."

then interjected to provide VAR's reasoning, explaining: "This is what VAR have said. We've been in contact with them and they said, 'The direction Haaland was going made it a possible, but not an obvious, goalscoring opportunity.'

"I've never heard the word obvious used for denying a goalscoring opportunity before. The only one I would say is likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, that's the only one I think they could probably have argued.

"There's no doubt Haaland touched it ahead of Henderson, it would have been a soft touch, he would have had a goalscoring opportunity."

The reasoning did not wash with Lineker's punditry team though, with many pointing out how Haaland was racing after the ball away from goal because the direction had been changed by Henderson's hand.

Rooney then responded: "Just get rid of VAR. They've made a mistake so now they're trying to cover up for their mate out there. It's a red card. Everyone can see it's a red card. To come out with all this rubbish."

Henderson quickly regained his focus after being at risk of being given his marching orders, saving Omar Marmoush's penalty to ensure that Palace remained ahead after Eberechi Eze's opener.