Liverpool-Tottenham VAR Blunder: PGMOL announces new VAR protocol

Follow Us Now!

Amid the incessant public condemnation that followed the unprecedented blunder by a few of them, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) announced a significant change to the VAR protocol.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back happened in the recent Premier League contest between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, where VAR officials unwittingly allowed the wrong decision to be carried out by the on-field crew. This blunder took place in the first half when Luis Diaz’ goal for Liverpool in the first half was mistakenly cancelled on the grounds of being scored from an offside position.

It was only after the match that the mistake was discovered, which necessitated an official statement from PGMOL. In their timely statement, they announced that a significant human error had taken place during the VAR check that ended in the cancellation of Diaz’ legitimate goal.

Though many called for the sack of the officials, while some decided that VAR should be entirely abandoned since it seems not to solve the problems for which it was invented, PGMOL rather took constructive steps that included suspending the guilty officials for this weekend’s matches and forming a new VAR protocol.

Howard Webb, head of PGMOL

According to the new rules not set out for officials working in the VAR unit, the VAR must tell his or her final decision to the AVAR (Assistant VAR) before such is related to the on-field crew. This is meant to prevent incidents like the recent one so that both wings of officials are on the same page before any final on-field decisions.

It’s important we really deal with it in a proper way. I mean all of the people involved, the referee, linesman, fourth official and VAR – they didn’t do it on purpose. Yes it was a mistake, an obvious mistake. I say this not as manager of Liverpool but as a football person – I think the only outcome should be a replay. Probably will not happen.

– Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s coach.

The coach of the Merseyside Reds, Jurgen Klopp, requested the audio of the communication between the on-field and off-field officials after the unfortunate match and later argued that the situation called for a rematch. Reports allege that the Premier League does not favour the perspective.

Another view of things argues that the cancelled goal should be added back instead. This one has not been discussed much, but the former was ignored on the grounds that it would bring a future where many would be requesting rematches. It seems Liverpool will just have to lick their wounds and move on.

Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham Hotspurs, aired his mind after the match: ‘Whatever I say will be seen as we’re the beneficiary. The facts are Liverpool got a legitimate goal that wasn’t given, you have to think why did this happen.

‘It wasn’t an integrity issue, it was an error in communication, it was a mistake that cost Liverpool a goal. I get it is an unusual one but at the same time we’re in a new space with the technology.’

PGMOL took steps to increase the reliability of the technology, fulfilling their promise in the wake of the match, which read: ‘Guidance to Video Match Officials has always emphasised the need for efficiency, but never at the expense of accuracy. This principle will be clearly reiterated.

‘A new VAR Communication Protocol will be developed to enhance the clarity of communication between the referee and the VAR team in relation to on-field decisions.

‘As an additional step to the process, the VAR will confirm the outcome of the VAR check process with the AVAR before confirming the final decision to the on-field officials.’

The leader of PGMOL, Howard Webb, will speak on the VAR blunder in an episode of the programme Match Officials: Mic’d Up next week. That will be the first time an official of the company speaks to the public about the erroneous decision their crew made in the match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.