Originally Posted by
rydermike
I just rewatched that debate and a couple of quotes stood out to be that KJ and TSN did not want to get into the debate most likely because of the gender issue.
@1:56 - Dunfield says "If we pause it here, just as Michael Bradley passes the ball, it's very difficult to see if Gallardo is offside"
BUT TSN does not pause the video. Clearly Dunfield has paused it and seen it offscreen, but TSN won't do it for as it could lend credibility to his point.
@3:30 - Dunfield "I think they're in line with one another" KJ "So you'd rather technology beat her? She's on the field" Dunfield "I just want the decision to be right"
KJ would rather go with her decision than technology no matter what. The purpose of VAR is for technology to get the call CORRECT not to protect a referee's feelings. KJ and Kelcey then jump on him for saying she might be wrong. Dunfield never even brings gender into it, he just says it's so close and he thinks he's onside.
I'm all for women to be referees if they are qualified. And she IS definitely qualified. But even the best in the world make mistakes, especially something as tight as this. Heck, it was so close, she could be right and Gallardo was offside. However, it is clearly evident what TSN and KJ were so defensive to not spark a gender debate that they refused to even entertain the thought. Had this been on the other side of the field with the male linesman, I feel like I can guarantee they would've paused the video and debated the call.