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 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 Christmas edition of the VAR Review: Why West Ham United’s first goal was allowed to stand against Arsenal, Martin Ødegaard’s handball against Liverpool, and Harvey Elliott’s disallowed goal at Burnley.
Dec. 28: Arsenal 0-2 West Ham United
Possible ball out of play: Soucek goal
What happened: West Ham took the lead in the 13th minute when Jarrod Bowen cut the ball back from the goal line for Tomás Soucek to score, but did the ball go out of play?
VAR decision: Goal stands.
VAR review: Yet again Arsenal suffered from the view of the ball being obscured by a player, meaning that VAR Craig Pawson could not be sure the whole of the ball was over the goal line.
For Arsenal
Possible penalty: Handball by Ødegaard
What happened: Manchester United have been awarded a penalty for a raised arm by watch here.)
VAR decision: No penalty.
VAR review: Arsenal fans will no doubt point to the red card David Luiz received against Wolves in February 2021 in similar circumstances. Aston Villa striker Watkins’ penalty appeal against Sheffield United just before Christmas, but the two freeze frames alone don’t tell the full story.
There’s a case for a foul Vinicius Souza, who has a hand on Watkins, although probably not enough for the VAR spot kick. And while Souza does then have hold of the striker’s shirt as he goes to ground, this isn’t in the act of pulling him back from playing the ball, as happened to Welbeck.
Dec. 23: Tottenham 2-1 Everton
Possible foul: Gomes on Emerson
What happened: Everton thought they had pulled a goal back in the 50th minute when André Gomes won the ball off Emerson Royal, then played in Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score. However the VAR, Michael Oliver, began a check for a foul in the buildup.
VAR decision: Goal disallowed.
VAR review: It’s a foul, but is there enough in it to be classed a clear and obvious error? It’s on the borderline. The camera angle from behind the goal seems definitive, and it appears to show Gomes going into the back of Emerson with his knee and causing the Spurs player to lose the ball.
Some parts of this article include information provided by the Premier League and PGMOL.
