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: Newcastle vs. Bournemouth | Spurs vs. Leicester | Forest vs. Fulham
Possible offside: Ramsey on winning goal
What happened: In the 41st minute, Jacob Ramsey scored the only goal of the game. There was a check for offside against the Aston Villa player.
VAR decision: No offside, goal stands.
VAR review: A strange situation for fans, because on the face of it few would have considered an offside offence. The initial attempt by Ollie Watkins was palmed onto the crossbar by Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, with the ball coming back out to Ramsey to score from close range.
Ramsey was undoubtedly in an offside position when Watkins headed the ball, but the goal stood because it was judged Mohammed Salisu deliberately played the ball with his head before it fell back to Ramsey.
VAR decision: Penalty, handball by Lerma; scored by Alexander Isak.
VAR review: Trippier was immediately adamant that it should have been a penalty. The contact on Lerma’s arm was on the blind side of referee Craig Pawson, so it’s understandably he thought it should only be a corner (though the assistant referee was on that side of the pitch.)
VAR decision: Goal
VAR review: Son was shown to be just behind the last defender, meaning he should be given onside. The Tottenham player didn’t even need the tolerance level on VAR offside which is afforded to an attacker.
Possible red card: Cook challenge on Willian
What happened: In the 27th minute with the score 1-0 to Nottingham Forest, Steve Cook brought down Willian on the edge of the area. Referee Jarred Gillett booked the defender.
VAR decision: No red card.
VAR review: This presents a good comparison of how similar incidents can result in different outcomes depending on the decision on the field of play.
There is certainly an argument that Cook could have been shown the red card as Willian was about to break into the area, but at the same time there is a question over the covering defender being able to get back and prevent the shot on goal. It’s for this reason a yellow card can be seen as an acceptable decision by the referee.
