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 both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
– How VAR decisions affected every Prem club in 2022-23
– VAR’s wildest moments: Alisson’s two red cards in one game
– VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide
JUMP TO: Man United 0-0 Newcastle | Leeds 0-1 Arsenal | Southampton 1-1 West Ham | Wolves 1-0 Forest | Spurs 2-0 Everton | Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth
VAR overturn: Goal disallowed for foul on Fabinho by Haaland
What happened: Manchester City thought they had taken the lead in the 53rd minute through Phil Foden, but there was a VAR review after Fabinho went to ground in the buildup under a challenge from Erling Haaland.
VAR decision: Goal disallowed.
VAR review: This brings us back around to a discussion from last month, when Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli had a goal ruled out for a foul in the buildup by Martin Odegaard on Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen.
VAR decision: No penalty.
VAR review: The VAR, Jarred Gillett, didn’t advise a penalty as he felt Wilson ran into the position where Varane had made the challenge, rather than Varane fouling his opponent. But that would suggest a striker merely holding his running line could be construed as initiating contact, which isn’t the way this should work.
VAR decision: Decision stands.
VAR review: It seems a soft decision, with the referee disallowing the goal because Bamford pushed Gabriel as the Arsenal man was about to head the ball on the edge of the six-yard box.
Kavanagh didn’t blow his whistle until after the ball had crossed the line, so the VAR, Paul Tierney, could have advised the goal should be allowed. However, as Kavanagh identified a push and that was clearly present, there is no chance a VAR would ever go against such a decision made on the field of play.
VAR decision: Penalty, missed by Bamford.
VAR review: Saliba had his arm away from his body and it was clear from the Arsenal defender’s reaction that he knew he had conceded a penalty. He was only booked for the handball, as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was likely to get the ball ahead of Roca, rather than being sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
VAR decision: No penalty, red card downgraded to yellow.
VAR review: This was a decision initially advised by the assistant referee, who judged that Gabriel was the offender and told the referee there should be a penalty and a red card. The ball was in play with Ramsdale when Gabriel was adjudged to have kicked out at Bamford inside the area.
VAR decision: Goal stands
VAR review: A quick one to cover. Firstly, it wasn’t a foul throw because part of Walker-Peters’ foot was on the line. It doesn’t matter if part of the foot is over the line, as long as part of it is on it. And secondly, VAR cannot review any restarts — foul throws, moving balls, ball not in the correct position, etc.
VAR decision: Penalty, scored by Ruben Neves.
VAR review: In contrast to the Gomes incident, Toffolo makes his body bigger by moving his arm out and blocking a shot on goal. The VAR, Lee Mason, again decided upon a VAR intervention.
Some may feel decisions such as this are harsh, but they have been consistent across the season when the arm is out and not in a position justifiable by body movement.
VAR decision: Penalty, missed by Brennan Johnson.
VAR review: This brings us back around to the penalty West Ham were not awarded. There appeared to be more contact between Soucek and Perraud than Nunes on Yates, yet it’s this one that’s a VAR penalty.
In this decision, Nunes is judged to have made enough contact on Yates to impede his ability to play the ball.
VAR decision: Decision stands.
VAR review: Pickford clearly collides with Kane as he dives out for the ball, and with referee Paul Tierney giving the penalty there’s no chance that the VAR, Andre Marriner, will overturn the on-field decision.
But did Pickford make contact with Kane, or Kane make contact with Pickford? It’s a subjective decision which will split opinion — and on that basis the VAR is unlikely to get involved, whichever way the referee gives it.
