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 in the Premier League: Ultimate guide
In this week’s VAR Review: Could Arsenal have been awarded an injury-time penalty in their draw at home to Southampton? Did Leicester City‘s Wout Faes commit a handball offence against Wolves? And what about Liverpool‘s winner against Nottingham Forest?
VAR review: From the replays, it’s difficult to see that there was any contact on Jesus by Bella-Kotchap, and it seemed as though the Arsenal striker may have gone to ground after taking a heavy touch inside toward two Southampton defenders.
There’s nothing in this to suggest the VAR, Peter Bankes, should have intervened to award a spot kick.
VAR review: This was similar to the first one. It’s not clear how much contact there was from the replays, but the striker absolutely went to ground in a theatrical manner, and there was nothing to suggest the VAR should have intervened.
The second claim was for handball against Diallo. It was powerfully struck at the Southampton player from point-blank range, and there is an exemption clause in guidance issued to referees when the ball is unexpectedly struck at a player by a teammate — even if the arm is away from the body. In any case, Diallo didn’t even have his arm extended, so there was no chance of a VAR intervention.
This handball claim isn’t comparable to the penalty West Ham United‘s Michail Antonio conceded against Arsenal last weekend; in that situation, the arm was away from the body and created a clear barrier for a shot on goal.
VAR review: There would be a clear case for an offside offence against Henderson, because he made an obvious action to play the ball with at attempted flicked header.
From the regular TV angle it looked like Henderson, and in fact Salah, could have been in front of the last defender. But the offside technology clearly showed both were played well onside by the boots of Moussa Niakhate.
Possible penalty overturn: Jebbison foul on Silva
What happened: Daniel Jebbison tripped Bernardo Silva in the 41st minute, and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot. The VAR, Tony Harrington, checked for a possible overturn.
VAR decision: Penalty stands, scored by Riyad Mahrez.
VAR review: The only question over the decision was whether Jebbison got a touch on the ball. Replays suggested it was Silva who got a toe to the ball, before the Sheffield United player then kicked the Manchester City player’s foot.
No chance this decision would be overturned, and the VAR would likely have intervened had the spot kick not been awarded.
