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      Howard Webb reveals TWO decisions VAR got wrong in Newcastle vs Arsenal clash following furious Arteta rant

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      HOWARD WEBB has confirmed VAR got TWO decisions wrong in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.PGMOL chief Webb revealed on the programme “Match Officials Mic’d Up” that both Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes should have been sent off – as previously stated by the Premier League’s Key Match Incident Panel.
      Mikel Arteta was raging with the officials following Arsenal’s defeat to NewcastleCredit: Rex
      Howard Webb has admitted the VAR made two mistakes at St James’ ParkCredit: Getty
      Listen to the full four minute VAR check of Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal for Newcastle against Arsenal and PGMOL chief Howard Webb discussing the process of awarding the goal 🔊 pic.twitter.com/f0wGwsPqhE— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 14, 2023

      However, he insisted the process was followed correctly for Anthony Gordon’s controversial winner – which Gunners boss Mikel Arteta described as an “absolute disgrace”.
      Havertz’s lunge on Sean Longstaff in the 37th minute was deemed to be a yellow card.
      Meanwhile, Guimaraes’ forearm struck the head of Jorginho in an off the ball collision, but he did not receive any punishment.
      Speaking about the two incidents, Webb said: “Quite a busy game wasn’t it?
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      “A couple of situations, that in the cold-light-of-day analysis that we go through, going forward, we would expect red cards in both of those situations.”
      Prior to analysing those decisions, Webb also analysed the use of VAR in Gordon’s goal.
      The officials looked at three separate incidents in the match-winning moment.
      They were whether or not the ball had gone out, a potential foul on Gabriel, and Gordon being offside.
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      Explaining the process, Webb said: “This was a big moment – an unusual situation with three aspects for the VAR to check whether or not the on-field decision of goal should be overturned.
      “We see the ball getting very close to the goal-line – don’t forget we have an assistant referee who is right in line – the ball hasn’t got a lot of pace as it goes to the goal-line, so he’s looking right down the line better than any of our cameras.

      “And we know the ball is curved, so it can be over-hanging the line and we need evidence it’s out, and we don’t have that here.
      “The ball then comes over and Joelinton challenges Gabriel, and it could be a foul, might be a foul.
      “The VAR decides that the evidence from the footage isn’t clear enough to intervene with a recommendation for a review for a clear error.”
      He continued: “I think the talks we’ve seen after, the opinion that is split across a lot of analysis, would suggest that was a correct non-intervention because of the subjectivity.
      “And then one of those unusual situations where the ball goes between two players, and trying to identify exactly when the ball leaves Joelinton, is really difficult to establish because of the players being so close together.
      “So again, no conclusive evidence that Gordon was offside when the ball was last touched.
      “The VAR went through that diligently and identified no clear evidence to intervene to overturn the goal. The process was actually correct.”
      Also on the show, Webb said VAR had correctly disallowed Scott McTominay’s goal against Fulham for an offside on Harry Maguire.
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      He also backed officials for their decision to send off Cristian Romero against Chelsea.
      But he admitted Hwang Hee-chan’s challenge on Newcastle’s Fabian Schar should have seen VAR intervene to disallow the penalty given against Wolves. More

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      Arsenal told VAR audio from Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal against Newcastle will be released TOMORROW

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      ARSENAL have been told the VAR audio from Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal will be released on Tuesday.Gordon’s strike in the 1-0 win over the Gunners was allowed to stand after looking at three separate incidents in the lead-up to the goal.
      Mikel Arteta raged after Anthony Gordon’s goal was allowed to standCredit: Alamy
      VAR could not determine whether the ball had gone out in the lead-up to the goalCredit: Sky Sports

      Howard Webb will explain the decision on TV on TuesdayCredit: Sky Sports
      Now The Mail have confirmed the VAR recording from Stockley Park will be made public on the monthly programme “Match Officials Mic’d Up”.
      The show sees PGMOL chief Howard Webb explain how decisions were made to host Michael Owen.
      And one part of Tuesday’s programme will address Gordon’s controversial goal at St James’ Park.
      VAR could not definitively decipher whether the ball had gone out, before they decided Joelinton had not fouled Gabriel.
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      They then also looked at a possible offside, but did not have an angle which categorically proved Gordon was in an offside position.
      After the match, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta raged at the officials, calling the decision an “absolute disgrace”.
      Club bosses then released an official statement supporting their manager’s remarks.
      They also called on the standard of refereeing to be addressed.
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      Officials also looked at Joelinton’s clash with Gabriel but did not deem it to be a foulCredit: Sky Sports
      VAR also could not clearly determine whether Gordon was offsideCredit: BBC
      The FA have since sought explanations from both Arteta and Arsenal regarding their comments.
      The Gunners are understood to have responded on Monday.
      The Premier League’s Key Match Incident Panel have confirmed the goal SHOULD have stood, but insisted two other errors were made during the game.
      The panel revealed both Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes should have been handed red cards for their clashes with Sean Longstaff and Jorginho respectively.
      Meanwhile, it is not yet clear whether any of the NINE VAR checks in Chelsea’s win over Tottenham will be included on Match Officials Mic’d Up.
      Both clubs are yet to be contacted by the PGMOL. More

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      Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi launches blistering rant and says he ‘dislikes 80 per cent of referees in England’

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      ROBERTO DE ZERBI launched a scathing attack on Prem officials and VAR, blasting: “I don’t like 80 per cent of referees in England.”The Brighton boss was booked for mouthing off to fourth official Andrew Madley after Adam Webster’s own goal gifted Sheffield United a point.
      Roberto De Zerbi slammed referees in England in a furious rantCredit: Getty
      Mahmoud Dahoud was sent off for a challenge on Ben OsbornCredit: Getty
      🗣️ “I don’t like 80 per cent of referees in England”Roberto De Zerbi speaking after he was booked and Mahmoud Dahoud sent off in Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Sheffield Utd ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LUTP5XuBqt— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 12, 2023

      De Zerbi was raging at ref John Brooks for sending off Mahmoud Dahoud for a nasty tackle on Ben Osborn moments earlier.
      The Seagulls chief stormed: “I am honest and clear and I don’t like 80 per cent of referees in England.
      “It’s not a new thing. I don’t like them or their behaviour on the pitch.
      “England is the only country where when there is a VAR check you are not sure it is the right decision.
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      “In other countries you have to be 100 per cent sure the referee’s decision is right.
      “In England, no, and I’m not able to understand it.
      “Until the red card there was only one team on the pitch. With one less player we lost order and lost our style.”
      However, TV replays appeared to show Brooks got it right, with VAR Chris Kavanagh backing his verdict that Dahoud’s ugly tackle deserved a straight red card.
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      And ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey declared: “Roberto can have no complaints over Dahoud’s red.
      “The ball was nowhere near Osborn’s ankle and the Brighton man deliberately stamped on him.”
      De Zerbi added: “If I see the new rules, it is a red card, clear.
      “But I was a player and the dynamic of the situation is not a red card — but we have to accept it.”
      Asked if referees in Europe are better, De Zerbi said: “I’m working in England and I speak only about the referees here.” More

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      Crewe vs Notts County HALTED after linesmen ‘refuse to stand on side of fuming fans’ after 98th-minute penalty awarded

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      NOTTS COUNTY’s clash at Crewe Alexandra was halted due to the linesman refusing to stand near the travelling fans.Notts’ supporters were raging with the officials after a 96th-minute penalty was awarded against their side.
      Notts County’s clash with Crewe was haltedCredit: PA
      Fans were enraged by the linesman’s decision to give a penalty to CreweCredit: PA
      The penalty was given by Richard Wigglesworth who had replaced the original refereeCredit: PA
      The game was stoppedCredit: PA
      Players tried to calm down the supportersCredit: Dan Westwell
      Jody Jones was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box as the referee pointed to the spot.
      However, the call angered County’s fans who let their displeasure be known at the awarding linesman.
      The decision came after the match’s original referee, Simon Mather, was forced to be replaced by fourth official Richard Wigglesworth after pulling his hamstring.
      Reports claimed that Notts’ fans then erupted as projectiles were thrown at the officials.
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      It was also suggested that the words “cheat” and “w****r” were chanted at them from the away support.
      Due to the intensity, the linesman was said to refuse to run the line because of the proximity to the fans.
      To make matters worse and add to the chaos the other linesman reportedly refused to switch with him, causing the match to be delayed.
      County’s players could be seen trying to calm down their incensed supporters.
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      The game eventually was restarted 13 minutes later in the 109th minute with the spot kick.
      Crewe star Courtney Baker-Richardson stood up and fired the penalty home to hand the hosts the victory.
      After the game Crewe manager Lee Bell insisted that the decision was correct.
      He said: “Yeah I thought it was a penalty.
      “I think with the new rule change when you are so close to it but in this day and age it is a penalty.
      “I think he [the referee] got it spot on, it takes a lot of courage to do that after coming on because he took his time.”
      Elsewhere in the Football League, Wycombe suffered two serious injuries as two players were taken to hospital after their defeat to Stevenage in League One.
      Courtney Baker-Richardson converted the penaltyCredit: PA More

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      Troy Deeney reveals he’d take advantage of former Chelsea and Arsenal star ‘dangling a leg’ to try win penalties

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      TROY DEENEY has revealed how he used to try to take advantage of David Luiz when he played against him.While writing in his SunSport column, Deeney was giving his take on VAR.
      Troy Deeney revealed how he would take advantage of defenders like David LuizCredit: Reuters
      Deeney called getting contact off a defender ‘professionalism rather than cheating’Credit: Getty
      He explained how Premier League referees have seen their job made much harder since the introduction of the technology.
      The former Watford ace then explained how this would be detrimental to certain defenders and make them more likely to give away a foul, citing Luiz as an example.
      Deeney said: “Let’s talk about the idea of ‘winning’ a penalty, of inviting contact and going down, which I’d describe as professionalism rather than cheating.
      “VAR was supposed to make that far more difficult but I’d say it’s actually made it easier.
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      “There were certain opponents — and as an example I’d use David Luiz of Chelsea, Arsenal and Brazil —  who you knew you had a chance of winning a penalty against.
      “Luiz was a brilliant footballer but he would also have a tendency to dive in to tackles or to dangle a leg if you were running past him, so you’d try to take advantage of that and invite referees to make a decision.
      “With the super slo-mo they use in VAR decisions today, a defender’s challenge often looks worse than it actually is, so you are probably more likely to win a penalty.
      “So many decisions are subjective, so you are never going to get perfection in decision-making.”
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      Deeney also aired his rage on VAR as a whole.
      He believes the Premier League should SCRAP it and bring back the chaos that makes football so fun. More

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      Prem referees chiefs advertise hardest job in football as they step up bid to end VAR chaos… with NO experience required

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      REFS’ chiefs have placed an ADVERT for people to take on football’s toughest job as VARs.The PGMOL are hunting for brave souls with little or no experience.
      The PGMOL are ready to appoint specialist VAR staffCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Luis Diaz’s legitimate goal was wrongly chalked off after a VAR howler
      And the job ad is asking for people who can: “PROVIDE clear communication under pressure,” and are “capable of SELF-REFLECTION on how they have performed.”
      “IDENTIFY when VAR needs to intervene,” and have the “ability to FOCUS and have great communication skills.”
      An advert is circulating among around 75 refs at elite level in the men’s and women’s game to recruit new “Specialist VAR” staff.
      It comes as VAR is under the biggest scrutiny since launching in 2016.
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      Arsenal and Liverpool have both issued strong statements this season, demanding reform.
      Gunners boss Mikel Arteta branded VAR calls “disgraceful” after Anthony Gordon’s Newcastle winner was allowed to stand last Saturday.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp demanded a replay after Luis Diaz’s goal was wrongly ruled out for offside in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.
      And Wolves boss Gary O’Neil accused VAR of huge blunders which have cost his side points.
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      Newcastle’s winner against Arsenal stood despite a series of controversiesCredit: Getty
      Fans, players and managers are growing increasingly frustrated with VARCredit: Getty
      PGMOL boss Howard Webb has made a number of apologies — including over the Diaz cock-up.
      VAR has also been criticised for lengthy delays, including one of more than SEVEN minutes in Chelsea’s 4-1 win at Tottenham on Monday.
      That game stretched to almost 112 minutes and included two sendings off and FIVE disallowed goals.
      Insiders at the PGMOL say officials are taking longer to make up their minds on decisions because they are frightened of the public backlash should they make a mistake.
      There is also a growing feeling among officials they are overstretched with the expansion of roles now associated with every Prem game.
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      This weekend alone four referees are doubling up and working on both Saturday and Sunday in the top flight alone.
      Paul Tierney is VAR for Saturday’s lunchtime clash between Wolves and Tottenham before taking charge of Liverpool versus Brentford on Sunday at 2pm.
      John Brooks is VAR at Bournemouth’s home game with Newcastle at 5.30pm on Saturday evening from Stockley Park in North-West London and referee at Brighton against Sheffield United the day after.
      He will be in partnership over a two-day working weekend with Chris Kavanagh who is in the middle at Bournemouth before acting as VAR while Brooks referees at Brighton less than 24 hours later.
      Relative rookie Michael Salisbury, who only joined the Premier League list last year, is VAR for Arsenal vs Burnley then referee for West Ham against Nottingham Forest at 2pm on Sunday.
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      The job advert calls for “expressions of interest” from the top level in the men’s and women’s game to take on one of the most pressurised jobs in football.
      Pay is not mentioned.
      Wolves have been repeatedly on the wrong end of ref blundersCredit: AFP
      Tottenham’s home clash with Chelsea had 21 minutes of injury time after nine checksCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      John Brooks is involved in two Premier League games this weekendCredit: Alamy More

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      Troy Deeney: It’s time for VAR to be scrapped, the best moment of my career never would have happened if it existed

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      I’VE reached the end of my tether with VAR and I’d love to see it scrapped.I think most players and the vast majority of match-going fans would say the same.
      Troy Deeney netted this momentous but controversial goal for Watford vs Leicester in the 2013 Championship semi-final play-offsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Deeney believes this ‘absolute, glorious carnage’ following his famous strike would have been curtailed by VAR as it came after a ref errorCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Tottenham’s Eric Dier had a goal rightly disallowed in a controversial 4-1 loss vs Chelsea but the VAR check took ridiculously longCredit: Getty
      It’s as if Premier League chiefs have said, ‘We’ve got this wonderful product, which is lapped up the world over and is an excellent fan experience to enjoy live, so how are we going to f*** it all up?’
      Football, at its best, is pure chaos. If I think back to probably the most memorable moment of my career — the climax of the Championship play-off semi-final between Watford and Leicester in 2013 — it all came about because of a refereeing error.
      Anthony Knockaert of Leicester dived to win a penalty, his spot-kick was saved by our keeper Manuel Almunia, and we went straight down the other end where I scored the goal which sent us to Wembley.
      Vicarage Road erupted in euphoria. It was absolute, glorious carnage. And nobody who was there will ever forget it.
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      But that sequence of events probably wouldn’t have happened now.
      Knockaert’s tumble would have been analysed to death for five minutes and the penalty probably wouldn’t have been given.
      With VAR, we are attempting to provide this perfect sanitised game and that isn’t what football is about.
      Take Monday night’s game between Tottenham and Chelsea, with nine VAR checks, most of them far longer than necessary, with both players and supporters standing around not having a clue what was going on, and then 20-odd minutes of injury-time.
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      This is NOT the game I fell in love with.
      When Spurs player Eric Dier had a goal disallowed in the second half, he was clearly offside, but it took VAR several minutes to reach that decision.
      It’s like if I go into a coffee shop and the bloke in front of me is ordering a choco mocha latte, or whatever those fancy coffees are called, and so we all have to wait five minutes.
      But after all that hanging around for the barista to act like Tom Cruise, it just tastes like a normal cup of coffee.
      Sometimes there’s no point in waiting around for a ridiculous amount of time.
      I played in the Premier League during the first season of VAR in 2019-20 and I actually didn’t mind it.
      But since then I have witnessed a huge drop in refereeing standards.
      Refs have lost the courage to make decisions, they no longer trust their instincts, and they have lost authority as a result.
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta raged as a triple VAR check, including for this challenge by Joelinton on Gabriel, failed to erase Anthony Gordon’s Toon winnerCredit: Getty
      David Luiz was a brilliant defender but could dive in or dangle a legCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      They see a 50-50 call and rely on VAR to get them out of a hole — but often the VAR decision is worse than a spontaneous on-field call.
      Of course I would moan at refs when I played in the top-flight but I genuinely believed we had a high standard of officiating before VAR.
      The likes of Martin Atkinson, Mark Clattenburg and Michael Oliver — who was actually the ref conned by Knockaert at Vicarage Road — were generally excellent. Those standards have dropped, largely because of the effect of VAR.
      And let’s talk about the idea of ‘winning’ a penalty, of inviting contact and going down, which I’d describe as professionalism rather than cheating.
      VAR was supposed to make that far more difficult but I’d say it’s actually made it easier.
      There were certain opponents — and as an example I’d use David Luiz of Chelsea, Arsenal and Brazil —  who you knew you had a chance of winning a penalty against.
      Luiz was a brilliant footballer but he would also have a tendency to dive in to tackles or to dangle a leg if you were running past him, so you’d try to take advantage of that and invite referees to make a decision.
      Everywhere you look, VAR is leading to less respect for refs, worse decision-making and a worse experience for fans.
      With the super slo-mo they use in VAR decisions today, a defender’s challenge often looks worse than it actually is, so you are probably more likely to win a penalty.
      So many decisions are subjective, so you are never going to get perfection in decision-making.
      I did sympathise with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta losing his rag following Newcastle’s winning goal last weekend — there were three or four reasons why it could have been ruled out but none of them were conclusive.
      So he had a rant in the heat of the moment out of pure frustration.
      Arteta described refereeing standards as ‘embarrassing’ but what was more embarrassing to me was Arsenal issuing a statement the following day backing up his complaint.
      That sort of thing just lessens the authority of referees even more.
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      Everywhere you look, VAR is leading to less respect for refs, worse decision-making and a worse experience for fans inside Premier League stadiums.
      I don’t think it’s ever going to happen, because it would be seen as a backwards step, but I’d rather see it scrapped so that we can all embrace the chaos again. More

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      ‘You need to appease clubs’ – Scots Fifa referee who moved to England stunned whistlers turn ‘blind eye’ to simulation

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      BOBBY MADDEN has lifted the lid on the power English clubs hold over referees.The former Fifa whistler retired in the summer after a season taking charge of games down south.
      Bobby Madden quit the game in Scotland to go and further his career in EnglandCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Madden had achieved all he’d set out to as an official in Scotland and wanted a fresh challenge in EFL League One.
      But he hung up his whistle for several reasons, including being stunned at how the observer marking system is weighted in the clubs’ favour.
      Madden, 45, said: “There were challenges and a different mentality in how they manage situations from an FA and PGMOL point of view.
      “The clubs pay them, so they have control over officials.

      “One of the frustrations which didn’t affect me directly is the clubs have 40 per cent of the mark that’s given to a referee.
      “Essentially you need to appease the clubs to get on, so anyone going into that system needs to referee with that in mind.
      “It’s difficult when you’ve refereed to a level with an observer system then you have a club system like that. It’s difficult for the referees.
      “There were good referees in League One and Two, but would they turn a blind eye to obvious simulation or clear dissent or foul or abusive language? I saw it happen.
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      “I think that’s one of the challenges they have.
      “Each club has 20 per cent of their mark.
      “In Scotland it’s one observer and you receive one mark and it’s the same with Uefa.
      “In England the assessor only has 20 per cent. They also go to a panel and review it, so it was a new system.
      “The clubs and players and managers know they are marking you.
      “I’ve heard comments like, ‘Just remember who’s marking you’. The clubs know they have that power.
      “It’s a challenging environment for referees coming through.
      “I didn’t change my tactics, though. I just managed games the way I always have.
      “I was probably known for not showing that many yellow cards and I tried to follow that, but it’s probably a more difficult arena to do that in.”
      Madden was also disappointed by the quality of the game down south, despite its bold claims, and the lack of respect shown by players towards officials compared to Scotland.
      He said: “In England the football and the teams are very well organised. The surfaces and facilities are good.
      “But I was disappointed with the football.
      “League One there compares to the bottom three or four in our Premiership and League Two compares to the Championship.
      “But England are very good at marketing their leagues, so people believe it’s high level.
      “Of course it’s very well organised, but the level of football probably wasn’t what I expected.
      “I was still fortunate to referee some decent games in League One.
      “In Scotland teams play against each other four times a season or whatever, so there’s a lot of repetition and it’s the same with referees.
      “You’ll referee each team five or six times a year. Take that over ten years and you are in a lot of contact with the same people so you build up a relationship.
      “They might not agree with your decisions and players will use foul language and I’ll use the same type back.
      “In England that level of respect isn’t there because of their approach, but it was maybe because I was a new face that they didn’t know.
      “They’re also in that arena where they’re very well paid, they have a fantastic environment and there’s maybe a degree of entitlement.
      “I did find a lot of players difficult to deal with and they didn’t like to be challenged.
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      “In Scotland I liked the banter and to give a bit back and have that relationship.”
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