Last weekend's Premier League fixtures were dominated by one thing. VAR.
After Liverpool were denied a clear and obvious goal by VAR, it sent the footballing world into overdrive.
Jurgen Klopp's side fell to their first defeat of the season away to Tottenham Hotspur, but if Luis Diaz's goal would have stood, the end result would likely be very different.
In the days following, it was reported that the Video Assistant Referee, Darren England, thought that the on field decision was that the goal had been awarded, hence why his response to referee Simon Hooper was a simple 'Check Complete' and play continued.
There's been calls from players, managers, pundits and Liverpool themselves for the audio from the VAR room to be released to the public and finally, it has happened.
PGMOL release audio from controversial Diaz VAR decision
With some pundits including Jamie Carragher calling it 'Crisis Mode' for VAR, the stakes have never been higher for the Premier League Referees' governing body.
The sheer and utter carnage, disbelief and panic from the audio is almost difficult to process.
The replay operator, who's not even a referee quickly corrects Darren England, the VAR, that the on-field decision was originally offside.
This leads to a panicked and flustered response from England.
Here's the audio between the VAR room and referee Simon Hooper in the buildup and moments after Luis Diaz's goal.
🚨 @PremierLeague release official VAR audio from Luis Diaz's disallowed goal vs Tottenham.
Full statement: https://t.co/buvq5mG2q3 pic.twitter.com/a8zjGgcOCO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 3, 2023
The PGMOL released this statement alongside the audio clip.
PGMOL can confirm that we have carried out a review into the circumstances which led to the Luis Diaz goal being incorrectly disallowed for offside in the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC.
We recognise standards fell short of expectations and acknowledged the error to Liverpool immediately after the conclusion of the fixture.
A detailed report, including the key learnings and immediate actions taken, alongside the audio between the on-field officials and VAR team has been submitted to the Premier League, who have shared it with Liverpool FC and subsequently all other Premier League Clubs.
The review of the on-field and VAR decision-making processes and application of the decision-making principles has identified the following key learnings to mitigate against the risk of a future error:
- Guidance to Video Match Officials has always emphasised the need for efficiency, but never at the expense of accuracy. This principle will be clearly reiterated
- A new VAR Communication Protocol will be developed to enhance the clarity of communication between the referee and the VAR team in relation to on-field decisions
- As an additional step to the process, the VAR will confirm the outcome of the VAR check process with the AVAR before confirming the final decision to the on-field officialsPGMOL are committed to enhancing VAR performance through a new training programme which started this season and focuses on process and best practice for all VARs, AVARs and Replay Operators in their specific roles. While we have a number of FIFA-recognised VARs, work is ongoing to create a dedicated pool of VAR specialists.
The VAR and AVAR in question were removed from their remaining fixtures in Match Round 7 in the Premier League and have not been included in the appointments for Match Round 8 this weekend.
PGMOL and The FA have also agreed to review the policy to allow match officials to officiate matches outside of FIFA or UEFAappointments.
In what is quite easily the toughest period PGMOL and VAR have gone through since their introduction, it's difficult to understand how it was possible for them to get this interraction and decision so wrong.
Footballing world reacts to VAR audio
The reaction to the statement and audio has causen quite the stir and the outrage is clear from not only Liverpool supporters, but the wider footballing world.
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS
— Felly (@LFC_Felly) October 3, 2023
OMG😭😭 he was so onside too😭 pic.twitter.com/MIlPNJJq7A
— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBall_) October 3, 2023
That right there is an absolute disgrace, they knew they got the decision wrong after 10 seconds and didn’t have the balls to tell the ref the game shouldn’t have started.
What a farce if they can’t use VAR to correct mistakes get it gone 😂
Absolutely ridiculous
— Ryan 🔴 (@LFCOriginals) October 3, 2023
This is dreadful. This is the biggest league in the world?
— Ryan (@ryanadsett) October 3, 2023
Beyond a shambles pic.twitter.com/Hia4QNRt3U
— TEJ (@sartejt) October 3, 2023
While the Video Assistant Referee and his assistants have been stood down for this upcoming gameweek, it's yet to be seen how the association and the technology will be taken by fans, players and clubs for future fixtures since this serious breach of trust.
One thing that can offer a glimmer of hope for Liverpool fans is that rather than it being some sort of conspiracy against the club, it's clear to see that it was just severe incompetence from the officials.
SEE ALSO: Ridiculous PGMOL Statement Unites Football Fans After Spurs v Liverpool Game
