New Swindon Town striker Charlie Austin has opened up about his infamous Premier League post-match interview in a chat with the Adver.
Austin returned to Town this week having previously played for the club for two seasons between 2009 and 2011.
The striker soon became a fan favourite, netting an impressive 37 goals in 65 games in all competitions.
After leaving for Burnley, Austin went on to play for several other English clubs, plying his trade in the Premier League and Championship for several years.
During his time in the Premier League, Austin rose to prominence for his lethal finishing and goals scored, but for also being a leader who was not afraid to speak his mind when it mattered.
Charlie Austin's VAR rant. pic.twitter.com/hZ3ywc7PLe
— Sky Sports Retro (@SkySportsRetro) July 19, 2021
While at Southampton in the 2018/19 season, the striker played Watford in the Premier League and saw his side succumb to 1-1 draw despite Austin believing he had fired the Saints into a 2-0 lead.
Austin gave a scathing post-match interview to Sky Sports, criticising the refereeing decisions and advocating the introduction of VAR which was yet to be used in the Premier League at the time.
“It's ridiculous, they shouldn't be in the game,” blasted the striker to Sky Sports at the time.
“They get a point. We scored a perfectly good goal to make it 2-0 and the game is done and dusted. We won the game, but the officials cost us two points today.
“They said it was offside. They said it hit Maya [Maya Yoshida], but it didn't. I hit it twice. It hit me and bobbed up. That's why it has done Foster. It's a joke.
"You go on about VAR this and VAR that, help the officials out. Clearly, they need help. We play in the Premier League, the best league in the world, the most-watched league in the world.
“So, give them all the help they need because clearly they cost us two points today. It's a joke.”
Now, over four years later, Austin has opened up to the Adver about what he infamously said following the Watford game.
“Off the pitch there comes a fine line where emotion takes over sometimes but it depends on the person you are talking to or what their subject is about,” he revealed.
“It depends on the way the conversation goes as sometimes you can get very emotional and very upbeat but other times its different and some players need arms around the shoulders.”
Many praised his reaction four years ago but for Austin personally, some regret remains over the fiery outburst.
“At the time I felt it was right but when I look back now I think 'oh my lord, what was I doing',” he laughed.
“I’m just excited to be here. It’s another chapter of the football story and it is a young group but I’m definitely there to help them.”
The striker has joined Scott Lindsey’s League Two side until the end of the current 2022/23 season.
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