Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Controversies in the Premier League: A Deep Dive
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has been a topic of controversy in the Premier League, with many fans and players questioning its accuracy and consistency. In this article, we will examine the decision-making process behind VAR and analyze some of the major incidents from the current season. We will also explore the protocols and laws that govern VAR, and discuss the role of experienced referees like Andy Davies, who has over 12 seasons of experience on the elite list.
One of the most significant matches of the season was between Liverpool and Manchester City, which saw the Citizens come from behind to win 2-1. The match was marked by several penalty calls and non-calls, which had a significant impact on the outcome. In this article, we will review three key incidents from the match, including a possible red card for Manchester City’s Marc Guéhi, a penalty kick awarded to Manchester City, and a disallowed goal for Manchester City.
Incident 1: Possible Red Card for Marc Guéhi
The first incident occurred in the 68th minute, when Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was played in by teammate Dominik Szoboszlai beyond the Manchester City back line. Guéhi pulled Salah to the ground, and referee Craig Pawson awarded a free kick and issued a yellow card to Guéhi. Liverpool players and fans were outraged, claiming that Guéhi should have been sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
However, the VAR, John Brooks, checked the decision and confirmed that the on-field call was correct. According to the Laws of the Game, a DOGSO requires that the foul occur inside the penalty area, or that the foul occur outside the penalty area but deny a goalscoring opportunity. In this case, the foul occurred outside the penalty area, and there was a covering defender, which meant that the VAR did not have enough evidence to overturn the on-field decision.
Incident 2: Penalty Kick Awarded to Manchester City
The second incident occurred in the 90th+1 minute, when Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes was clattered by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker after Nunes clipped the ball over the advancing keeper. Referee Pawson awarded a penalty kick to Manchester City, which was checked and confirmed by the VAR.
The VAR review was straightforward, with the on-field communication between referee Pawson and his assistant explaining exactly what the replays showed. The only element that required confirmation by the VAR was to ensure that the ball was still in play when contact was made by Alisson on Nunes. The correct decision was made, and Manchester City was awarded a penalty kick.
Incident 3: Disallowed Goal and Red Card for Dominik Szoboszlai
The third incident occurred in the 90th+10 minute, when Manchester City attacker Rayan Cherki struck the ball towards an empty net. Liverpool defender Dominik Szoboszlai competed in a one-on-one foot race to the ball with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who looked certain to win. However, Szoboszlai pulled Haaland back, denying him an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
The VAR, John Brooks, intervened and recommended that the referee review the decision. After reviewing the replays, referee Pawson disallowed the goal and sent off Szoboszlai for DOGSO. The decision was correct, as the laws of the game require that a player who denies a goalscoring opportunity be sent off. The sequence of events was complex, but the VAR and referee followed the correct protocols to arrive at the correct decision.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the VAR system is designed to help referees make accurate decisions, but it is not perfect. The protocols and laws that govern VAR are complex, and require a deep understanding of the game. Experienced referees like Andy Davies and John Brooks play a crucial role in ensuring that the VAR system is used correctly, and that the decisions made are fair and consistent. By analyzing the major incidents from the current season, we can gain a deeper understanding of the VAR system and its role in the Premier League.
Screenshot credit: NBC
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee, with over 12 seasons on the elite list, working across the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.
