In an unprecedented move, the governing body for referees (PGMOL) has admitted officiating mistakes were made in this week’s matches.
Former referee Howard Webb took over as Chief Refereeing Officer for the PGMOL in August. He promised greater transparency and appears to be delivering that.
Following controversial VAR decisions in Arsenal VS Brentford and Crystal Palace VS Brighton, the PGMOL released a statement.
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At the Emirates, VAR reviewed Ivan Toney’s 74th minute equaliser for a potential offside. Ethan Pinnock was judged to be onside in the build up but Christian Norgaard who actually provided the assist was shown to be offside. However, VAR Lee Mason did not draw the ‘offside lines’ to make sure and did not consider whether Norgaard was offside.
Brightons’ Pervis Estupinian was denied a goal against Crystal Palace because the offside lines were drawn from the wrong player.
“PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday.
“Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL.”
This isn’t the first time Arsenal have been wrongly denied a goal by VAR this season. Gabriel Martinelli was denied the opening goal in their 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford. PGMOL later came out and said the goal should have stood.
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Neither Arsenal or Brighton will get the dropped points back and will likely be even more frustrated by this. However, it is a step in the right direction.
Premier League officials have historically been sensitive to criticism and reluctant to admit they made a mistake. With the league still struggling to implement VAR smoothly and an atmosphere of frustration with the officiating, Howard Webb is at least trying to improve the situation.
Arsenal face Manchester City on Wednesday in what is a massive game in the title race. Everybody involved can only pray the result isn’t decided by a refereeing decision.
