Gareth Bale: 'Football better without VAR'

Gareth Bale has claimed that "football is better" without the Video Assistant Referee after its impact on Real Madrid's Club World Cup game with Al Jazira Club on Wednesday.

A first-half header from Casemiro was ruled out by the VAR amid much confusion, with Karim Benzema eventually adjudged to be in an offside position.

After the United Arab Emirates side opened the scoring, Mbark Boussoufa got the ball into the back of the net for a second time, only for the VAR to also rule his goal out.

Bale, who scored a late winner in the 2-1 victory for Madrid with his first touch, told reporters: "I'm happy for my goal.

"When you return from an injury, you'd like to have as much impact as I did today, but the best thing is that the team are in the final.

"I need to be patient and listen to my body. I need to be on the pitch because I'm not at 100 percent. I'll pick up pace gradually. I'm working hard on and off the pitch.

"VAR? I don't like it, I think football is better without it, but it's not up to me."

Real face Gremio in Saturday's final and a third success would take them equal with Barcelona for the record number of Club World Cup tournament wins.