The technology has caused more problems than it's solved since it was brought into top-flight football.
Four years after its introduction in 2023, video assistance referees are still making news for all the wrong reasons. The latest incident was the most calamitous yet, and it's led to renewed and impassioned calls to scrap the technology altogether.
This time, VAR's mistakes cost Liverpool, as Reds forward Luis Diaz had a perfectly excellent goal erroneously disallowed for offside. And, instead of rectify the error, as we were all promised would happen when the technology was brought in, the horrendous mistake was not corrected.
Why you ask? An embarrassing miscommunication. VAR officials Darren England and Dan Cook each both seemingly believed the on-field decision had been a goal, so they hurriedly gave referee Simon Hooper a big thumbs up to carry on as Diaz was so clearly onside.
Liverpool, who were down to nine players, lost a crucial point as a result of this egregious mistake. The fact that there is a lot of rivalry for the dubious distinction of worst VAR error, despite the fact that this is likely the system's worst error to date, may be the worst aspect of the entire awful situation.
THEEAGLE highlights seven (7) of the refereeing technology's most glaring errors from its time in England before Saturday's gaffe in north London...
Fulham 0-0 West Ham (February 6, 2021)
Why is our game changing? After seeing Tomas Soucek be sent off against Fulham in the last seconds of the second half in February 2021, Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp felt compelled to pose that question.
It was an odd occurrence. Prior to a free kick, Soucek and Aleksandar Mitrovic got into some pretty PG-rated scuffles during which the Czech midfielder unintentionally touched his opponent's face with his elbow. Mitrovic immediately threw himself to the ground with the authenticity of a kindergarten nativity.
Mike Dean, never one to shy away from a controversial decision, opted to send the West Ham player off and, unbelievably, VAR failed to send him to the screen. The fact that the dismissal occurred in the 97th minute of a goalless draw and was swiftly overturned just added to the farce.
Tottenham 1-3 Manchester United (11 April, 2021)
In the end, it didn't matter because United came back to win 3-1 in the second half. However, the Red Devils would have been incensed after Edinson Cavani's perfectly good goal was overturned by VAR as they were leaving the pitch at halftime down a goal.
Scott McTominay's arm flicked Son Heung-min's face as the United player was driving away from the South Korean in the lead-up to the Uruguayan's precise finish. Even though it was unintentional and not significant enough for Son to fall to the ground in a heap, technology nonetheless intervened and the goal was prevented.
After the match, Roy Keane was typically composed in his assessment, urging his fellow pundits "all go home" if McTominay's infraction is now considered a foul.
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham (September 3, 2022)
Chelsea only managed to win 11 games in the 2022-23 Premier League season, but if VAR had done its job, they might have just managed to reach double digits.
In September, the Blues had a 2-1 lead over West Ham at home when Maxwel Cornet appeared to draw the Hammers even late. However, after a VAR review, Jarrod Bowen's 'foul' on Edouard Mendy resulted in the Ivorian's goal being strangely disallowed. After the game, David Moyes was furious and accused Andy Madley of "weak refereeing" because the decision was as soft as memory foam.
"There's no excuse for VAR today, there is no excuse for that to be a goal, none whatsoever," Moyes added.
Brighton 2-1 Liverpool (January 29, 2023)
Liverpool were particularly physical during their trip to Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round, but Fabinho overstepped the mark when he went in studs up on Evan Ferguson's ankle in the 89th minute.
The Brazilian's face told the story, as he sheepishly waited to be given his marching orders. Surprisingly, though, he only received a yellow - even after a lengthy VAR check. The PGMOL later admitted that an error had been made.
Everton 0-1 Manchester City (February 26, 2022)
To get a result against a team as merciless as Man City you need to have everything go in your favour. And Everton certainly did not back in February 2022, with Rodri getting away with a blatant handball in his own penalty area.
In a moment of madness, the Spaniard controlled the ball with his arm, but VAR somehow reached the conclusion that the referee failing to award the Toffees a spot kick did not constitute a clear and obvious error.
City would go on to triumph 1-0, with Everton boss Frank Lampard left seething at full-time. Lampard accused VAR official Chris Kavanagh of being a "professional who cannot do his job right", with the club eventually receiving an apology from then-refereeing chief Mike Riley.
Arsenal 1-1 Brentford (February 11, 2023)
Except for this one, apparently, every Premier League goal is verified by VAR before being approved. Ethan Pinnock may have interfered with play a few seconds earlier, but Lee Mason was so preoccupied with making that determination that he neglected to mark the lines for the goal.
Further investigation soon revealed that Christian Norgaard, who had set up Ivan Toney's equaliser against Arsenal, had been offside. The incident occurred at a crucial juncture in the title battle, and the PGMOL apologised to Mikel Arteta. However, the Arsenal manager did not appear to accept the apologies.
"I will only be satisfied if they give me the two points back," he said. Fair enough.
Manchester United 1-0 Wolves (August 14, 2023)
The final score indicated a United victory, but Wolves were incredibly excellent during opening weekend of 2023-24 at Old Trafford and earned at least a point. When Gary O'Neil considered how the game ended, his frustration at leaving empty-handed would have been amplified.
At the death, Wolves striker Sasa Kalajdzic was absolutely clattered by Andre Onana as he attempted to collect a cross. It would have been classed as assault if it happened away from the football pitch, but referee Simon Hooper was unmoved - and VAR Michael Salisbury shockingly opted against sending him to the screen.
After the game, PGMOL sent a grovelling apology to O'Neil and Co, but it was little solace to a team that look like they're going to need every point they can get this season.
Comments