The introduction of Video Assistant Referee technology at Premier League level was already on the cards with non-live trials taking place as officials made the adjustments to the development and thought was given as to how to suitably inform fans when it was in play, but undoubtedly Charlie Austin’s now infamous interview following Southampton’s draw with Watford either sped its introduction up, or at the very least guaranteed no further time would be wasted.
Having seen his goal scrubbed out as the matchday referee believed an offside Maya Yoshida had gained the last touch, 29-year-old Austin had most applauding at his impassioned post-game interview, and other giggling.
Teammate Nathan Redmond was interviewed by Sky Sports this week as the November international break comes to an end and Southampton prepare to face newly-promoted Fulham this coming Saturday, and his choice of words about Austin’s unexpected intervention were spot on.
“There are so many decisions and I just think probably it took a moment like Charlie’s interview to get people to be like every single person agrees. I think it was a priceless moment in the season in the world of football. Again I can only reiterate it is just one of those things that’s what it had to take. I don’t think anybody knew that Charlie’s interview was going to be what it was.”
Given how close we came to all three points in the last match, let’s hope this weekend brings an end to our current run of winless in eight.
