Game is in 'massive trouble' - Burnley boss Sean Dyche after controversy at Leeds

The Clarets chief, while addressing the media in his post-match press conference at Elland Road, was still attempting to comprehend decisions made by the officials as his side lost out to Leeds United.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope was penalised for making contact with Patrick Bamford, despite playing the ball first in a 50/50 challenge with the ex-Burnley forward.

"I have spoken to the powers that be about this, and I am a fan of VAR, but there are certain decisions that have to be overturned by VAR," said Dyche.

"I think that is where VAR over-rides the ref.

"It was a very difficult game for my players because of the way the game was officiated.

And then the visitors were denied an equaliser, or at least a spot kick of their own, when United's French stopper Illan Meslier was given the benefit of the doubt in a hurried decision by referee Robert Jones after a collision with Ben Mee.

Both incidents, which went against the away side, were reviewed and supported by both Michael Oliver and Andrew Halliday at Stockley Park, which Dyche failed to get his head around.

"The rule as I understand it is that if they give it too quick then that is the referee's decision," he said.

"He said he felt it was a clear foul from Ben Mee on the goalkeeper.

"I just think the game is at a precarious moment where the physicality of the game is minimal and we are pushing towards a non-contact sport.

"It is the world's game, the people's game and I think the people have to be careful what they wish for because physically the game is at an all time low and yet I think fans still like some physicality. The sensible stuff, the good challenges and the fair tackling, not the mad crazy stuff."

Dyche added: "The thing about refereeing is it is less of professional understanding about what you are seeing and it is governed by certain guidelines that are on a criteria of yes or no and we clearly know a lot of these decisions, even with VAR, are contentious at times.

"I didn't think the one on Ben Mee today was, I thought that was a simple decision, but the minimum that should happen is that the referee should allow it to play on and see what happens and if he whacks it in the net which he did, then I am alarmed that is seen as a foul.

"If that is a foul when someone is just trying to head the ball and the keeper drops it then we are in massive trouble, keepers get protected like we have never known anyway, but if you start giving that one when he is miles out of his goal, put a knee in Ben Mee's back and dropped the ball . . . how that is a foul by Ben Mee is just bizarre.

"Decisions are very important at this level and it is very tough when they go against you."