Liverpool’s thrilling 1-1 draw with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday brought yet another contentious VAR decision in the Premier League.
In the 99th minute, Jeremy Doku’s high boot caught Alexis Mac Allister in the midriff after the Belgian initially won the ball. VAR backed referee Michael Oliver’s on-field decision and did not intervene, sparking a debate over whether it should have been a penalty or not. It isn’t the first will not be the last time VAR is involved controversy.
Here are some of the most contentious moments of the season so far.
TOTTENHAM 2-1 LIVERPOOL: Diaz disallowed goal Sept 30th, 2023
It was in October, but this decision still annoys Liverpool fans today. Luis Diaz ran from the halfway line to score and put Liverpool 1-0 up away at Tottenham, but was incorrectly flagged offside.
Referee Simon Hooper disallowed the goal, and the VAR Darren England did not overturn his decision, even after a lengthy review. It later emerged that England had mistakenly believed that Hooper’s decision had been to award the goal, so felt no need to overturn it. Although the VAR team quickly realised their mistake, play had restarted to no goal was given, and Tottenham went on to score a last-minute winner.
NEWCASTLE 1-0 ARSENAL: Gordon’s controversial winner Nov 4th, 2023
Anthony Gordon sank Arsenal with a hugely controversial goal for Newcastle in Novermber. Former Arsenal forward Joe Willock collected a rebound wide on the left, and although it looked like the ball had gone out play before he crossed it to the far post, a goal was given after Joelinton hustled Arsenal defender Gabriel off the ball to give Gordon a simple tap-in.
VAR intervened and examined three separate incidents – whether the ball had crossed the byline before Willock’s cross, whether Joelinton had fouled Gabriel, and if Gordon had been offside before prodding home. All three looked debatable, with no definitive camera angle to prove the ball had gone out of play.
VAR confirmed the goal and after the game Mikel Arteta labelled the decision a “disgrace”. If Arsenal fall short in the title race, this will be a decision they look back on with resentment.
MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 LIVERPOOL: Ruben Dias disallowed goal Nov 25th, 2023
The reverse fixture between City and Liverpool also had its share of VAR drama. With City already leading 1-0, the home side thought they had doubled their advantage when Ruben Dias tapped in from close range following a scramble in the box.
Alisson flapped at a cross and found himself in no-man’s land, but the Brazilian was lucky that Manuel Akanji’s tame challenge on him was enough for VAR to rule out the goal.
It proved to be a big moment in the match, as Liverpool found an 80th-minute equaliser through Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arrowed finish past Ederson.
MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 WOLVES: Wolves denied a penalty
Wolves have been on the end of a number of dubious VAR decisions this season, and in another world they might be pushing for a spot in Europe next season rather than stuck in mid-table.
The most controversial decision against them came in the first game of the season away to Manchester United, who led through a Raphael Varane goal in the 76th minute.
But in the dying embers, debutant keeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic, completely missing the ball and wiping out the Wolves forward as he attempted a header at goal. Referee Simon Hooper saw nothing wrong, however, and VAR did not spot the offence either.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neill was booked for protesting before revealing that PGMOL’s Jonathan Moss had swiftly issued an apology for the mistake, but it was little comfort for the empty-handed visitors.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-1 BRENTFORD: Brentford denied two penalties Oct 1, 2023
Just 24 hours after Tottenham’s acrimonious win over Liverpool, the VAR officials once again found themselves in the spotlight, denying Brentford two penalties against Nottingham Forest.
After Vitaly Janelt had forced a smart save from Matt Turner, Nicolas Dominguez raised an arm to handle the ball during an aerial challenge with the Brentford midfielder. The loose ball then struck Willy Boly on the hand, but both times the officials decided the defenders had been too close to the ball to avoid contact.
Brentford were denied once again in the second half when Turner appeared to bring down Yoane Wissa inside the box, but referee Paul Tierney saw no offence and again VAR agreed with him.
