Sir Geoff Hurst claims VAR is 'ruining the spectacle' of football. (Image: Getty)
England World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst says VAR is a "joke" that is "ruining the spectacle" of football and should be ditched.
The former striker says goal-line technology, which would have ruled out his infamous ghost goal against Germany in the 1966 final, should stay.
The 82-year-old says he is in favour of technology being used in the modern game but says the current system means fans cannot properly celebrate goals.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: "They are making more bad decisions now and you don’t want to see people take ages to make a decision.
Sir Geoff Hurst, second from left on the front row, with the 1966 team (Image: PA Wire)
"It’s ruining the spectacle, and the fans can’t cheer. It’s actually spoiling the game.”
Hat-trick hero Sir Geoff's second goal against West Germany at Wembley has been a constant source of debate, with the England players insisting it crossed the line.
The fortunes were reversed 44 years later however when England midfielder Frank Lampard's strike at the 2010 World Cup against Germany was ruled out, despite appearing to be well over the line.
The incident, which was branded "disgraceful" by Sir Geoff, is considered to be one of the defining moments for the introduction of goal-line technology.
Frank Lampard's disallowed strike against Germany in South Africa (Image: Getty)
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Sir Geoff has high hopes for Gareth Southgate's team ahead of Euro 2024. He is a fan of Jude Bellingham in particular.
He says the 20-year-old Real Madrid star is "doing astonishingly well" and claims he is up there with the likes of George Best and Bobby Charlton.
The footballing legend - the last surviving member of the 1966 team - was speaking as part of a campaign to encourage older people to learn digital skills.
He says he uses an iPad to watch Match of the Day each week - although confesses he skips the post-match analysis.
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Sir Geoff admits he watches Match of the Day on an iPad (Image: Getty)
Sir Geoff, who teamed up with BT and AbilityNet, said: “I do internet banking and use the Trainline app to buy tickets.
“I use technology to keep up with family, to send photos and we have a WhatsApp group called Family Bantz."
Sir Geoff says he turns to his children or grandchildren if he ever finds himself needing help with technology, and is quick to make sure scam emails are deleted.
