The introduction of Video Assistant Referee to the Premier League as a welcomed decision, given the success – for the most part – it has had in Europe’s other top leagues. However, it has brought confusion and controversy in its debut season.
The implementation of VAR in the English top-flight has enraged fans on several occasions and sparked debates as to whether it is being used right and if it favors some clubs. Club chiefs were unhappy with the time it takes to make a decision and the lack of communication with the fans, voicing their criticism to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.
PGMOL chief Mile Riley has now admitted that VAR has mistakenly overturned four decisions. The technology is meant to intervene when an obvious mistake is made, an example being when Aubameyang’s legal equalizer against Man United in the 1-1 Old Trafford draw was flagged for being offside.
However, PGMOL openly revealed the four times VAR got it wrong. One of those decisions was when Arsenal were denied the winning goal against Crystal Palace. Sokratis scored late on in the second half but it was communicated to the on-field referee that there was a “foul” in the build-up and thus the goal was chalked off. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Another blunder occurred during Brighton’s 3-2 win over Everton last month. The Seagulls were awarded a dubious penalty by VAR, which they converted, en route to a comeback victory.
Furthermore, Man United were incorrectly awarded a penalty against Norwich over an incident involving Daniel James and Ben Godfrey as where Watford against Chelsea. The referee in both games failed to point to the spot but after an intervention from far, those decisions were wrongly overturned.
While there are several instances where fans feel their team deserved penalties, Riley merely touched on the moments when Video Assistant Referee overturned a correct decision, labeling this as “the worst outcome”.
