6:14 AM ET
Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League , but how are decisions made, and are they correct?
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 the midweek VAR Review: How was John Stones onside against Arsenal ? Should West Ham United have been awarded a penalty for handball by Liverpool ‘s Thiago ? What about Manchester City defender Ruben Dias getting a red card? And why wasn’t Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone sent off?
Possible offside overturn: Stones on goal What happened: Manchester City thought they had a second goal in first-half stoppage time when John Stones headed home Kevin De Bruyne ‘s free kick at the back post, but the assistant immediately raised his flag for offside. The VAR began a check to make sure the decision was correct (watch here .)
VAR decision: Goal awarded.
VAR review: It caused a great deal of discussion, but it all comes down to parallax: the difference in the apparent position along different lines of sight. It’s one of the main reasons the offside technology was introduced, to remove the problem we have in taking a picture and processing it as a 3D image. As different angles are checked, moving left to right across the pitch, parallax means the position of Stones relative to Ben White will appear to change; in reality they are always in the same place.
From the one television camera angle, it seemed certain that Stones was in an offside position; when the VAR switches to the goal-line camera, we can tell the decision is going to be much closer.
When this tolerance level is used, the final VAR image only shows one green line to the defender (the method is the same in all leagues), because showing both lines on top of each other would be more confusing.
It’s not perfect, as it means supporters must trust the line has been placed on the correct place for the attacking player.
It was an exceptionally close call, but the correct one.
Possible penalty: Partey on De Bruyne What happened: In the third minute, Jack Grealish played a low cross into the six-yard box, which goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale palmed out forwards. Both Thomas Partey and De Bruyne went for the ball at the same time, with City players and fans demanding a penalty. Referee Michael Oliver awarded a free kick to Arsenal.
VAR decision: No penalty.
VAR review: The annoyance of West Ham boss David Moyes was understandable, but in the Premier League you won’t get a VAR penalty for a situation like this. If the referee gives it, then it wouldn’t be overturned, but there is enough doubt — and exemption clauses in the law — for the VAR not to intervene.
Moyes claimed “if you lunge it’s your own fault for lunging and being out of control in the tackle,” but this isn’t part of the handball law. In fact, Moyes gives a reason for the penalty not to be awarded, because the expected position of the arm for a player’s movement should be taken into account when judging a possible offence. Thiago is going to ground to challenge Ings, and needs his left arm to support his body.
Possible red card: Johnstone challenge on Neto What happened: In the 92nd minute, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone miscontrolled a back pass, with the ball running a couple of yards in front of him. Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Pedro Neto moved in to close down Johnstone, who jumped in to make a tackle to try to rectify his mistake. Referee Robert Jones pointed to the penalty spot and booked Johnstone for the challenge, but the VAR, Tony Harrington, checked for a possible red card.
VAR decision: No red card.
VAR review: This column often discusses how consistency with VAR is about when an intervention is made, and not on-pitch decision-making. On this, there’s definitely the case for a couple of clubs to be bemused — including Wolves themselves.
VAR review: Really unfortunate for Tielemans, as it was a fantastic strike from the Belgium international.
When the corner comes in, the ball is flicked towards goal by Harvey Barnes . At this point the offside phase is set, and Soumare is well in advance of the last Leeds United defender.
As soon as the ball touches Soumare, whether accidental or by a deliberate play of the ball, he becomes active for offside.
