Burnley
co-owner J.J. Watt slams 'disgraceful' Luton goal
Burnley co-owner J.J. Watt hit out at the decision to allow
Luton Town's controversial last-gasp equaliser in Friday's Premier League draw,
calling it "truly disgraceful."
The NFL legend was incensed after a lengthy VAR check failed
to rule out Carlton Morris' stoppage-time goal, despite vociferous Burnley
appeals that their goalkeeper James Trafford had been fouled by Luton striker
Elijah Adebayo.
"I'm new to this ownership thing, so if I get fined by
the Premier League, so be it...," Watt, who became an investor in Burnley
last year along with his wife, former U.S. international soccer player Kealia
Watt, posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"This is as blatant and obvious of a foul as you could
have. To miss this on the field AND miss this on VAR is truly
disgraceful."
J.J. Watt has been an avid follower of Burnley since his
investment in the club. Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Burnley had looked set to secure just their fourth win of the
season after Zeki Amdouni had put the home side ahead in the first half.
However, a 1-1 draw meant the Lancashire club remained second
from bottom, four points behind 18th-place Luton and three points ahead of
last-place Sheffield United. Both Luton and Sheffield have played one game
fewer than Burnley.
"I think any ex-pro understands what the striker
[Adebayo] is doing in this case," Kompany told the BBC. "First I
expect the referee to see it, none of the Luton players have celebrated, the
look of the striker is to the referee to see if he got away with it.
"Fair play to the striker, he tries his luck, he blocks
the goalkeeper. He looks across to the referee and you think surely not. VAR
will sort this out. Luton players are not celebrating. I thought [Luton] were
incredible today, but the moment there the referee has got to get it
right."
The Belgian added: "I don't know what to say to my
players. It's ridiculous. It keeps happening. It's incredible. It'll balance
off, I hope.
"This can't decide a game. Something done by a bit of
magic but not this. Not this."
Luton manager Rob Edwards said he understood their opponents'
frustration.
"That is a big moment in the game and we deserved
that," Edwards told TNT. "I do feel for Vinny [Kompany] and if it is
a foul I will be honest."
Things will not get any easier for Burnley next time out when
they visit champions Manchester City on Jan. 31.
Information from Reuters and the Associated Press was used in
this report.