Ever since its introduction, the VAR has led to controversial referee decisions in the Premier League, check out the full list of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) apologies made so far this and last season
The 2023/24 PL season started out with another controversial VAR decision on the opening matchday between Manchester United and Wolves.
Full list of PGMOL apologies this and last season to teams for referee VAR mistakes
🚨 | Tottenham vs Liverpool would be replayed if Simon Hooper had overturned VAR blunder. pic.twitter.com/Kb79RQTFUo
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) October 2, 2023
🔔BREAKING🔔
PGMOL have ACCEPTED the request from Liverpool to release the audio from VAR for their controversial offside decision Vs Tottenham.
Video & FULL audio below 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/Pa303rMi44— Altu Kop WBFF Pro (@AltuKop) October 3, 2023
Despite a foul from Andre Onana on Sasa Kalajdzic, Wolves were denied a late penalty even after a long VAR check, and eventually lost the match 1-0.
Such similar situations have occurred several times in the past which has led to several apologies issued from the PGMOL. The PGMOL, or Professional Game Match Officials Limited, is the governing body responsible for referees in English football. Check out the full list of PGMOL apologies issued for VAR mistakes so far:
September 30, 2023 (Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool)
The most recent apology came last week, on September 30, 2023, following Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham. The Reds were down to nine men in the match after Curtis Jones received a red card and Diogo Jota received two bookings. However, the match could have ended in a completely different manner if the VAR booth had not committed a “serious human error”. After Jones got sent off, Luis Diaz scored the game’s first goal to put Liverpool up ahead by 1-0. However, the flag went up for offside, but a replay showed that Diaz was onside. Despite this, VAR Darren England stood with the offside decisions and did not award the goal.
August 14, 2023 (Manchester United 1-0 Wolves)
During an opening matchday game, Manchester United’s new signing Onana clattered into Kalajdzic in the box. Although a penalty seemed imminent, things took a shocking turn as the Wolves manager ended up receiving a yellow card on the sidelines for his protests instead. Following the incident, PGMOL’s Jonathan Moss apologised for the mistake after the match.
April 8, 2023 (Tottenham 2-1 Brighton)
The match was filled with a list of decisions that the Seagulls were not happy about. Following the game, Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb, issued an apology to Brighton for denying a penalty.
February 11, 2023 (Arsenal 1-1 Brentford)
VAR’s Lee Mason made a shocking mistake during the match by using the wrong player when checking for an offside in Brentford’s goal. As a result, Arsenal were denied two points in their title race. Following the mathc, Mikel Arteta said:
“That wasn’t a human error. That was a big, big, big not conceiving and understanding your job.”
February 11, 2023 (Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton)
This was a second offside decision mistake on the same day as John Brooks drew the offside line in the wrong place, which denied a goal from Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan. Following the incident, Brooks was taken off VAR duty for two games.
November 6, 2022 (Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United)
Interestingly, a standout moment in the match featuring Lucas Digne’s free-kick goal turned out controversial following a post-match review. The review showed that Digne received additional help due to a mistake from the referee. The Red Devils’ wall was set over 10 yards behind the ball, which allowed Digne with plenty of more space to score the impressive goal.
November 5, 2022 (Nottingham Forest 2-2 Brentford)
Brentford received a penalty following a collision between Dean Henderson and Yoane Wissa. However, replays of the incident showed that Wissa was at fault and had initiated the contact. As a result, Webb apologised to Forest after the match.
October 20, 2022 (Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa)
Interestingly, the match official sent off Douglas Luiz just after the hour mark after the official misjudged him for instigating a bust-up. Further reviews showed that the real perpetrator was in fact Aleksandar Mitrovic.
September 4, 2022 (Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal)
Arsenal’s first defeat last season came at Old Trafford to Manchester United, but the match was marred with a wrong decision early on in the match. Gabriel Martinelli scored a goal, but a VAR check showed Martin Odegaard had fouled Christian Eriksen. However, PGMOL later apologized and stated that the goal should have stood.
September 3, 2022 (Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace)
Although Tyrick Mitchell scored an own goal, Crystal Palace were let off the hook after officials adjudged Joe Willock to have impeded Vicente Guaita. However, the decision turned out to be incorrect despite a lengthy VAR check.
September 3, 2022 (Chelsea 2-1 West Ham)
Maxwell Cornet scored a hard-fought late goal against Chelsea to make it 2-2. However, the referee disallowed the goal citing a foul on Edouard Mendy by Jarrod Bowen during the build-up. However, the decision turned out to be a mistake and Webb later apologised to David Moyes after the incident.
August 20, 2022 (Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa)
Webb issued his first apology in his new role following a Villa defeat at Selhurst Park. Andy Madley wrongly awarded a penalty to Palace following a VAR check on the monitor.
February 26, 2022 (Everton 0-1 Manchester City)
Manchester City received a helping hand in their title race against Liverpool when Everton were denied a penalty. During the match, Rodri misjudged the ball’s flight path and it ricocheted off his arm. However, VAR official Chris Kavanagh stuck with the on-field decision, and adjudged it as not a foul. Referees chief Mike Riley later apologised to Everton following the match.
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