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.
In this week’s VAR Review: Why Brighton & Hove Albion defender Pervis Estupiñán should have been sent off at West Ham, and how Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford got very lucky against Chelsea.
Possible red card: Estupiñán foul on Kilman
What happened: Max Kilman brought the ball forward in the middle of the pitch in the 84th minute when Pervis Estupiñán attempted to make a challenge. The Brighton & Hove Albion defender fouled Kilman and referee Rob Jones immediately produced a yellow card. It was checked by the VAR, Paul Tierney.
VAR decision: No red card.
VAR review: Kobbie Mainoo played the ball against Semenyo from close range, enabling the Bournemouth player to take possession.
As this wasn’t immediately before the goal — there were a few passes before the ball came back to Semenyo — it would have to be a deliberate handball, or the arm extended away from the body.
Semenyo had his arm close to his side, so it was just a question of whether he leaned into the ball as a deliberate movement.
Verdict: The ball probably did hit Semenyo’s arm, but any movement seemed to be natural rather than an attempt to take control and it wasn’t clear and obvious enough for a VAR intervention.
Some factual parts of this article include information provided by the Premier League and PGMOL.
