Video Assistant Referee (or VAR for short) has caused widespread controversy since it was introduced to the Premier League ahead of the 2019-20 season.
The consensus at the time was that it would be a flawless piece of evolutionary equipment by this stage, yet it only seems to have gotten worse with time.
We are only 13 gameweeks into the 2023-24 campaign at the time of writing, but several managers have already been left furious by some of the decision-making of officials.
With the season recently restarting after yet another international break, we’re prepared for the debate over VAR to stem even further.
That said, read on as we take a look at some of the biggest blunders the video assistant has already made in the first third of the campaign.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
Where better to start than with what is arguably VAR’s worst mistake yet?
Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur was wrongly ruled out for offside, and Tottenham Hotspur ultimately went on to beat Liverpool 2-1.
The match officials initially gave offside, but VAR should have intervened to award the goal to the Colombian.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admitted a ‘significant human error’ was made and an investigation would take place.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp suggested the game should be replayed, while those who had an English Premier League bet on Diaz to score in the match were left feeling hard done by.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea
Tottenham feature again, and while Ange Postecoglou’s men did go on to lose this game 4-1 to rivals Chelsea, and both players who perhaps got off lucky were later shown red cards, there are still questions surrounding the decision-making.
As you would expect, this London derby was a heated affair, and Destiny Udogie lounged in with both feet up on Raheem Sterling.
The England winger was quick to move his leg away from the challenge, which resulted in minimal contact — and that was likely Udogie’s saving grace.
Just a few minutes later, the hot-headed Cristian Romero kicked out at Levi Colwill off the ball. However, VAR didn’t recommend a red due to a lack of violence.
Romero was given his marching orders in the 33rd minute for a rash tackle on international teammate Enzo Fernandez, while Udogie was sent off earlier in the second half for a second bookable offence on Sterling.
Related: NFF President Gusau Vows To Introduce VAR Into NPFL
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
This is a weird one, because there wasn’t much of an on-field reaction from Yoane Wissa or his Brentford teammates after the forward was taken down inside the box by Matt Turner.
However, Thomas Frank’s men should have piped up to referee Paul Tierney as it was, without a doubt, a penalty.
The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper took a heavy touch from a back pass and Wissa knocked it away from Turner, who ultimately took out the Bees attacker.
Amazingly, VAR didn’t even check for a possible penalty.
Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rewind to the opening game of the season, as it didn’t take long for VAR to majorly mess up for the first time.
Julen Lopetegui resigned from his position as Wolves’ head coach just days before the start of the season, leaving the midlands outfit as one of the favourites in the Premier League relegation odds.
However, Wolves were unlucky not to come away from Old Trafford with at least a point. Gary O’Neill’s side rued several missed opportunities, but they should have been awarded a penalty in the dying embers.
New Red Devils keeper Andre Onana came out to try and collect a cross, but he ended up colliding with Sasa Kalajdzic.
VAR checked the decision and didn’t award a penalty. However, PGMOL boss Howard Webb revealed that he felt referee Jonathan Moss should have been sent to the screen and that he is confident the official would have given a penalty had he seen the images.
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