11 minutes of stoppage time: Manuel Pellegrini calls for VAR limits in Chinese Super League

Hebei China Fortune coach Manuel Pellegrini called for limits to the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Chinese Super League after a string of referrals saw his side play into the 101st minute.

Pellegrini also accused officials of favouring hosts Guizhou Zhicheng in their use of the new technology, after Hebei’s 3-2 away win stretched to 11 extra minutes following at least three VAR referrals in the second half.

It was not the only incident on Sunday involving the VAR, which was also at the centre of a long delay before it correctly allowed Cedric Bakambu’s debut goal for Beijing Guoan. VAR looks set to make its World Cup debut this year but football’s rule-makers will be keen to avoid similar incidents in Russia.

“VAR should be used more reasonably,” Beijing Youth Daily quoted Pellegrini, the former Manchester City and Real Madrid boss, as saying. “It did not bring much help to today’s game and I think that the number of VARs used should be limited, rather than unlimited viewing.

“And regardless of the home team or the visiting team, the number of VARs used should be the same.”

VAR has been implemented in top European leagues including the German Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A for game-changing decisions, and is being used for a full season for the first time in China.