Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct?
After each weekend we take a look at the major incidents, to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
– How VAR decisions have affected every Prem club in 2023-24
– VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide
In this week’s VAR Review: Should Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic have been sent off at Arsenal? Was Brighton & Hove AlbionPascal Groß lucky to stay on the field against Liverpool? Should Virgil van Dijk have conceded a penalty? And how there was almost a disastrous error in Burnley vs. Chelsea.
Arsenal 1-0 Man City
Possible red card: Kovacic challenge on Ødegaard
What happened: Mateo Kovacic slid in to tackle Martin Ødegaard in the 29th minute and caught the Arsenal midfielder with his studs just above the ankle. Referee Michael Oliver immediately produced a yellow card, and the VAR, John Brooks, began a check for a red.
VAR decision: No red card.
VAR review: Kovacic is fortunate to only get a yellow card, and it’s a decision which is borderline for a VAR overturn. The Manchester City midfielder is late and catches Ødegaard, and there appears to be enough impact to make the leg bend — usually something a VAR would look for to determine excessive force for serious foul play — see Malo Gusto’s red card for Chelsea vs. Chelsea
Possible offside: Sterling when scoring
What happened: Aston Villa
Possible penalty: Doherty foul on Watkins
What happened: Tottenham Hotspur
Possible penalty: Shirt pull on Richarlison
What happened: Tottenham Hotspur in front from James Maddison’s cross in the fourth minute put fired over the bar. But was there a case for a penalty for the striker’s shirt being pulled?
VAR decision: No penalty.
VAR review: There’s no doubt that Reece Burke grabs hold of Richarlison’s shirt, but this comes just after he has missed the chance. There’s no likelihood of a VAR intervention.
Possible disallowed goal: Ball rolling on corner kick
What happened: Spurs scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 52nd minute when Micky van de Ven netted following a corner routine, but was the ball not stationary when the set piece was taken?
VAR decision: Goal stands.
VAR review: The VAR is unable to rule on any regular restarts, including if the ball is moving when a corner or free kick is taken. These decisions must be made by the on-field officials, so no intervention would be possible.
Some parts of this article include information provided by the Premier League and PGMOL.
