Another week and yet another controversial VAR refereeing decision and another apology by PGMOL. However, Liverpool’s disallowed goal against Tottenham is the final straw.
Liverpool were robbed of at least a point in tonight’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham, with Luis Diaz’s offside ruling was a pick of a bunch of poor calls.
The Colombian scored which would’ve been the opener against Spurs, until the offside flag shockingly was put up. The decision was taken to VAR, who swiftly decided that the call was correct.
When offside is judged by the VAR official, lines are drawn. Conveniently, this time zero lines were drawn, despite the quick nature of the conclusion.
This call was not the only poor one of the night, on the contrary, there were several. Poor is too kind of a word. They were borderline suspicious.
An honest challenge by Curtis Jones was overturned to red by Simon Hooper after VAR intervention. Unfortunately, his foot rolled over the ball and caught Yves Bissouma in the shin.
Remember the Harry Kane tackle on Andy Robertson? Comparing the two incidents and outcomes tell you everything you need to know about the standard of officiating in this league.
More include Diogo Jota’s first yellow card, Mohamed Salah foul on Bissouma, Robertson foul on Pedro Porro, and Joe Gomez’s penalty call.
Incompetence or Corruption?
In any other working place in the world, bigger repercussions would be the outcome. So, why not with the poor standard of officiating in the ‘best league in the world?
Is it incompetence? That’s the word that some would use. When it’s happening week in week out, most of the decisions being indefensible.
Corruption would only be the only logical argument if it weren’t genuine incompetence. Strong claim it may be, but some will feel there are no other explanations left.
Either answer is as bad as it gets. This is the Premier League. If incompetence or corruption are the only logical reasons then the league is in trouble.
Why was VAR brought in? To help officials or was it to use it as a scapegoat for their terrible work? Officials have been making dreadful decisions for years, hence the need for VAR.
‘VAR in the bin’ is an predictable shout this morning, however, take VAR away and we will see the same happening, like before, with genuine get-out excuses of human error in normal time.
Let’s not lose reality here, the officials at Stockley Park see the exact same images we do, they see the exact same slowed-down videos we see, they make their ridiculous calls off the back of the same things we see.
Teams are losing significant points that could cost them positions in the league and possibly millions of pounds because two people ‘see’ different to everyone else.
Relegated sides may have to let staff go due to going down. That’s the harsh reality of these decisions. What do we get? Apologies and an expectation to move on.
No more. No more apologies. No more poor officiating. Accountability is needed. Transparency is needed. Change is needed.
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