The introduction of Video Assistant Referee to world football was met with optimism and positivity. The idea of limiting errors in the game was well accepted. To see it in display was just the final assurance needed.
However, since it was introduced in the Premier League, in the 2019/20 season, it has brought a lot of controversies and talking points.
The list of the top controversial VAR moments in the Premier League have been compiled below.
7) Fernandes’ late penalty after the final whistle
The fulltime whistle had been blown, only for the referee to check the VAR to correct a decision he made earlier.
The players were called back from the tunnel as a penalty was awarded and eventually scored.
6) Spurs don’t get red, Liverpool gets!
The history of controversial VAR calls in a Liverpool vs Spurs game is unmatched. This time it was a studs-high challenge by Harry Kane on Robertson which didn’t resolve in a red card. Some minutes later Robertson got sent of for a similar offence.
5) Isn’t Noorgard offside?
Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Emirates in February 2023. There was an offside in the build up to the equaliser by Ivan Toney but was not spotted by the VAR in charge that day, Lee Mason.
Christian Noorgard was the player in an offside position but the VAR completely missed that.
4) Clear Handball from Rodri?
A game between Manchester City and Everton with the citizens looking to remain top of the league and the Toffees looking to escape relegation. Everton went a goal down and just minutes later, they were appealing for a penalty as Rodri seemed to have handled the ball in his own penalty area.
VAR ignored and Everton were denied a hard-fought point.
3) Pickford ends Virgil van Dijk’s season early
This happened during the 2020/21 campaign with the reds looking to successfully defend their champions status. During a very feisty Merseyside Derby, Liverpool and Van Dijk were seriously dealt a painful blow when Pickford, the Everton keeper, clattered into the big defender during a corner contest in the box, leaving Van Dijk in pains as he lay on the floor.
He then ended up with a cruciate ligament damage to his knee that ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. Pickford didn’t get the ball but no penalty was given. VAR failed to award a penalty.
2) 3 errors in one play?
During a game between Arsenal and Newcastle at the Saint James’ Park in the 2023/24 campaign a set of controversial calls were made in a sequence of play leading to a goal for Newcastle. A potential offside, Joelinton’s possible foul on Gabriel, and the ball crossing the touchline in the build-up to the goal – according to those of an Arsenal persuasion. All the decisions could have gone either way but the match officials could not get enough evidence to fully conclude on ruling out the goal. Newcastle eventually won the game by that single goal.
1) Diaz is offside. Wait, is he? He isn’t!
Liverpool against Spurs again, a matchup that has produced more VAR controversial moments than any other in the league.
In this instance, Diaz scored a go ahead goal for a ten-man Liverpool at that time, but it was deemed offside on the pitch. However, images of a clear onside were later shown by the VAR but the on-field referee, Simon Hooper, didn’t go back to correct the decision due to a mix up in the communications between the match officials of the game.
Liverpool ended up losing that game.
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