Referee Darren England finds himself sidelined after a critical VAR error during the Tottenham versus Liverpool clash, altering the course of the game and resulting in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss.
The contentious moment arose when Luis Diaz’s seemingly legitimate goal was incorrectly deemed offside, prompting widespread controversy.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admits a ‘significant human error’ in the decision, leading to England’s removal from VAR duty for the upcoming matches.
His replacement, Craig Pawson, steps in as the fourth official at the City Ground for Nottingham Forest’s game against Brentford. Meanwhile, Dan Cook, England’s assistant, is also replaced for Chelsea’s match against Fulham.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp voices his frustration, pointing out that such errors, though unintentional, significantly impact the outcomes of matches.
Despite the acknowledgment of the mistake, Klopp emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts to ensure accurate decisions in the game.
The controversy doesn’t end with the disallowed goal; Liverpool suffers further setbacks with Curtis Jones’ red card and Diogo Jota’s dismissal.
Cody Gakpo’s equalizer provides a brief respite, but Joel Matip’s own goal in injury time adds insult to injury for the Merseyside team. The aftermath of this match raises questions about the reliability of VAR decisions and the implications of human errors in crucial football encounters.
