Chris Wilder makes Regis Le Bris VAR claim after Sunderland promotion
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has questioned the use of VAR in the Championship play-off final following defeat to Sunderland.
The Blades took the lead at Wembley through Tyrese Campbell, but goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson sealed a 2-1 victory for Regis Le Bris’ men on Saturday.
Chris Wilder’s side finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the Championship, but were bested by the Black Cats when it mattered most.
Defeat means Sheffield United are resigned to another season in the second tier, where they will welcome back those promoted before them already.
Wilder makes VAR stance following play-off final heartbreak
Following the match, the Blades’ boss questioned why the technology was used specifically for the final when talking to BBC Radio Sheffield, revealing what Le Bris had also said beforehand.
“I think their manager went on record saying it as well, why are we involving VAR (in the final), when for 46 plus two play-off games we don’t have it?” queried Wilder.
“Especially, why is it used for such a subjective decision?”
Play-off heartbreak continues for Sheffield United
The final few months of the 2024/25 campaign have been excruciating for Sheffield United supporters, seeing their title charge falter just as the season reached its most crucial chapter.
Wilder’s side controlled the first 70 minutes of the final by sitting back, but Lady Luck just wasn’t on their side in the end, which is brilliant for the Mackems.
Luck isn’t something the Blades have enjoyed much of in the play-offs – in fact, it would be fair to say they’ve suffered quite the opposite over the years.
| Sheffield United’s Dismal Play-off Final Record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Division | Opposition | Result |
| 1996/97 | Division One | Crystal Palace | L 0-1 |
| 2002/03 | Division One | Wolverhampton Wanderers | L 0-3 |
| 2008/09 | Championship | Burnley | L 0-1 |
| 2011/12 | League One | Huddersfield Town | L 0-0 (P) |
| 2024/25 | Championship | Sunderland | L 1-2 |
Sunderland will not care one bit about that record, though, and this squad deserve every bit of success they have earned this season, fighting against all odds.
Despite having zero parachute payments and one of the youngest groups of players, they defied it all to return to the big time, and now they will get the chance to prove themselves there again.