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 have affected every Prem club in 2023-24
– VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide
In this week’s VAR Review: A look back at possible penalty situations for Arsenal against Luton Town, plus a series of incidents in victories for Liverpool and Manchester United. Plus, should Brentford‘s Yoane Wissa have been sent off?
Possible red card: Souza challenge on Mac Allister
What happened: Alexis Mac Allister was fouled in the fifth minute, with Gustavo Hamer penalised for the trip. As the Argentina international fell to the ground, Sheffield United midfielder Vinicius Souza appeared to stand on him. Referee Simon Hooper took no action, but was there a case for a red card for serious foul play?
VAR decision: No red card.
VAR review: Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic moves to make a run across the area when Van Dijk moved to his right. There’s contact between the two players, Ahmedhodzic fell and this left the Liverpool player free inside the area.
It’s a question of normal football contact or a foul by the Netherlands international, and there’s no clear evidence it was a clear obvious error towards the latter.
VAR review: Of all the incidents in the game, this is the most controversial — and probably should have been disallowed on review.
Hooper and his assistant both have a clear view, but Nunez reaches through the back of Bogle. Nunez may get to the ball with his right foot, but there’s clear contact on his opponent with the left leg. In the modern game this is usually deemed to be a foul.
VAR review: While not all contact should lead to a penalty, that’s more about the clip of a boot.
Fernández was unfortunate, and it may not look the clearest penalty in nature, but full contact on the top of the boot is always likely to lead to a VAR review for a spot kick.
This was the 12th penalty to be awarded through a VAR decision this season, and the first one that’s been missed.
VAR review: While there’s no doubt that Højlund was offside, he didn’t touch the ball so would need to impact an opponent to become active — and in this situation that could only be the goalkeeper.
Højlund is always behind Sanchez, the striker isn’t close to him and the ball is past the keeper before it goes toward the United No. 11. Therefore, there can by no effect on Sanchez.
That Højlund was off the pitch when McTominay struck the shot would be of no consequence, as any player behind the goal-line is considered to be on the line. If Højlund had stepped back onto the pitch and then had an impact upon an opponent, the goal would be ruled out.
VAR review: On first view it seems a wonder how Wissa’s card wasn’t upgraded to a red by the VAR, but when you look closer at the specifics of the case it becomes clear.
The violent conduct law says a player who “deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.”
Gilmour holds onto the ball to prevent the restart of play, for which he too would receive a caution. In trying to get the ball back, Wissa makes an attempt to knock it out of the Brighton & Hove Albion player’s arm by bringing his hand down. In the process, Wissa inadvertently brushes the face of Gilmour with his fingers.
Wissa isn’t attempting to deliberately strike Gilmour in the face, nor is there force involved, so the VAR was right not to intervene in this accidental situation.
