October 2 – The referees’ governing body in English professional football has admitted a “significant human error” after Luis Diaz had a goal ruled offside in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday.
Diaz struck what he thought was a 34th-minute goal, only for it to be ruled out in a clear officiating blunder.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) later admitted the mistake.
“The goal by Luiz Diaz was disallowed for offside by the on-field team of match officials,” it said in a statement, fuelling controversy over the efficacity of VAR.
“This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene.”
Both VAR officials involved were stood down temporarily for Sunday’s game between Nottingham Forest and Brentford and tonight’s Fulham v Chelsea clash.
Liverpool finished with nine men after Curtis Jones and substitute Diogo Jota were sent off in a feisty clash before an own goal by Joel Matip sealed a stoppage-time win for Spurs who remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season.
The PGMOL said it would conduct a full review into the matter which doesn’t help Liverpool after they missed the chance to move to the top of the table following Manchester City’s shock defeat at Wolves.
“We will not get points for it so it doesn’t help. Nobody expects 100% right decisions on field but we all thought when VAR comes in that it might make things easier,” declared an angry Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool, arguing that the poor decisions are affecting the sporting integrity of the Premier League, have issued a statement saying they will “explore the range of options available given the clear need for escalation and resolution”, though exactly what that means is unclear.
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