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.
But as it was a very quiet week for VAR in England, we start off by taking a look back on one of the most controversial incidents from last week’s Champions League action.
– 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 1-0 West Ham | Brentford 1-1 Wolves | Fulham 0-0 Everton | Palace 1-0 Southampton | Newcastle 4-0 Villa
VAR overturn: Kane goal disallowed for offside
What happened: With just seconds remaining of five added minutes at the end of the Champions League game, Harry Kane scored what he thought was the winning goal to take Tottenham Hotspur into the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
VAR decision: Offside.
VAR review: It’s a decision which angered many supporters, and not just those who follow Spurs — and for a number of reasons. It’s about ripping away the emotion of a dramatic, match-winning goal. Also the inertia that is experienced within a stadium when it takes an extended period of time for the VAR to deliver the verdict. And then the lack of clarity from a final image that many fans couldn’t be expected to understand without clear explanation, something which UEFA doesn’t offer.
VAR decision: Red card.
VAR review: An easy decision for the VAR, Peter Bankes, who advised referee Bobby Madley that Costa had headbutted the Brentford defender.
Costa will now get a three-match ban for violent conduct, which with the break for the World Cup coming up means he cannot play for Wolves again until Dec. 26.
VAR decision: Penalty stands.
VAR review: This is the textbook definition of a handball with a defender making his body bigger. Young has his arm way above his head when he blocked the shot from Miguel Almiron.
