The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has been a topic of controversy in the Premier League, with many questioning the consistency of decisions made by referees and VAR officials. In this week’s review, we examine several incidents that highlight the complexities of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
One of the key factors in determining whether a holding offence is penalized is the concept of “impact.” According to Premier League guidance, holding should be “sustained and impactful” and have a “clear impact on the opponent’s opportunity to play or challenge for the ball.” In the case of Crystal Palace’s penalty claim against Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk’s holding of Marc Guéhi’s arm was deemed not to have had a significant impact on the play, as Guéhi was not in a position to challenge for the ball.
In contrast, Newcastle United’s penalty against Everton was awarded due to James Tarkowski’s clear and extreme non-footballing action, which had a significant impact on Sandro Tonali’s movement. The Premier League’s Guidance document states that such actions should be penalized, and the VAR was correct to intervene in this instance.
Another area of contention is offside decisions. In Arsenal’s match against Southampton, Gabriel Martinelli’s goal was initially flagged for offside, but the VAR correctly ruled that he was onside. However, Mikel Merino’s movement towards the ball was deemed not to have had an impact on the opponent, and therefore did not constitute an offside offence.
The use of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) is expected to improve the accuracy and speed of offside decisions, but its introduction has been delayed due to testing issues.
In other incidents, Brentford’s penalty against Wolves was awarded due to Mario Lemina’s arm being around Nathan Collins’ neck and shoulder, while Leicester City’s claim for handball against Bournemouth was denied due to the Premier League’s relaxed interpretation of the law.
Ultimately, the VAR system is designed to assist referees in making accurate decisions, but its implementation can be complex and nuanced. As the Premier League continues to refine its guidance and protocols, fans can expect to see ongoing debates about the role of VAR in shaping the game.
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