A Closer Look at the VAR Controversy: The Diaz Incident
In a recent match between Liverpool and Tottenham, a moment of contention arose when Luis Diaz found the net in the 34th minute, only to be flagged offside by the on-field officials. The VAR lines, crucial in such tight decisions, were conspicuously absent from the replays, leaving many, including television broadcasters, in a state of surprise. The goal was disallowed, and Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat, with Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota receiving red cards.
PGMOL’s Admission of Error
Post-match, PGMOL, the organisation overseeing match officials in English professional football, admitted to a “significant human error.” They acknowledged that VAR failed to intervene, and the goal, by all means, should have been awarded. The lines were drawn, and the process was adhered to, but the ‘check complete’ signal was erroneously given to the officials at Tottenham. PGMOL has committed to a comprehensive review of the incident, with Darren England, who was on VAR duty, likely to be under scrutiny.
The Role and Scope of VAR
Since its introduction to the Premier League in 2019, VAR has been a subject of both admiration and criticism. It serves as a tool for officials to reconsider decisions in four specific scenarios: awarding of a goal, awarding of a penalty, cases of mistaken identity, and direct red cards. Despite its limited scope, VAR has been pivotal in correcting clear and obvious errors, although its disruptive nature has been a point of contention among fans and experts.
Liverpool’s Reaction and Previous Incidents
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, expressed his frustration post-match, questioning the efficacy of VAR in ensuring correct decisions. He highlighted a similar incident involving Wolves and Manchester United, where PGMOL officials were stood down after failing to award Wolves a penalty. The error was later admitted by John Moss, the Select Group 1 Manager at PGMOL, but the decision had a lasting impact on the game, which United won 1-0.
The Future of Offside Decisions
The recent controversy has reignited discussions about the adoption of semi-automatic offsides, a technology witnessed at the 2022 World Cup. This system, which eliminates the need to draw or activate lines, generates a virtual offside line and identifies skeleton points on players automatically. It utilises artificial intelligence to communicate real-time alerts to the VAR official, who is then required to validate the proposed decision. The adoption of such advanced technology could significantly reduce human errors in offside decisions.
Reflections on VAR’s Effectiveness
Former referee and VAR official Mike Dean’s admission about not sending Anthony Taylor to the pitchside screen to review an error in a match between Chelsea and Tottenham last season raises questions about VAR’s effectiveness. The reluctance to utilise available tools and technology adequately can undermine the very purpose of having such systems in place.
