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      Premier League release statement as Everton’s last-gasp penalty vs Man Utd is controversially ruled out after VAR review

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE addressed VAR’s controversial decision to deny Everton a late penalty against Manchester United.The Toffees thought they got a last-gasp spot kick at the death of stoppage time when the score was 2-2 at Goodison Park.Everton thought they got a late penalty against Manchester UnitedThe referee pointed at the penalty spot in the third minute of stoppage timeEverton ace Ashley Young appeared to have been fouled by Man Utd’s Harry MaguireHowever, VAR intervened and the decision was overturned after a lengthy reviewThe Merseysiders saw themselves leading 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals by Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.However, United fought back in the second half and levelled the score with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.But David Moyes’ men thought they would redeem themselves in the third minute of stoppage time after throwing away a two-goal lead.That was when Man Utd star Harry Maguire appeared to have pulled down Ashley Young in the area.Read More on Man UtdThe referee pointed straight at the spot but VAR felt differently and advised him to check the pitchside monitor.After a lengthy review, the hosts were denied a late penalty and the Red Devils found themselves breathing a sigh of relief.The Premier League addressed the situation at full-time with a statement on social media.It read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Maguire on Young and deemed that no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review. Most read in Football”The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with an indirect free-kick.”Man Utd also had a penalty kick denied in the closing stages of the match.Gary Neville says he’s seen ‘nothing’ from Man Utd under Ruben Amorim Joshua Zirkzee’s header hit Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite in the face and then possibly his arm in the 83rd minute.But VAR concluded there was no handball and the ref waived play on.Nevertheless, it could have been worse for Man Utd if the referee’s penalty decision stood.Sir Alex Ferguson attended the match and was spotted at the stands looking disgusted before half-time when Everton were 2-0 up, but appeared happier when his former club hit back. More

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      Listen to Michael Oliver’s conversation with VAR over Lewis-Skelly red card as Howard Webb says referee got it wrong

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      HOWARD WEBB admits Michael Oliver and VAR were WRONG to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Wolves last month.But the PGMOL chief said the criticism and abuse aimed at under-fire ref Oliver as a result was “wholly unacceptable”.Michael Oliver sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over WolvesCredit: PALewis-Skelly was shown red for a foul on Matt Doherty but the card ended up being overturnedCredit: PAVAR Darren England didn’t advise Oliver to look at the incidentCredit: PAThe conversation that took place between Oliver and England and the assistant VAR has been revealedCredit: Sky SportsOliver told England and his assistant that he’d send off Lewis-Skelly before issuing the redCredit: Sky SportsGunners defender Lewis-Skelly was shown a first half straight red for a cynical trip on Wolves’ Matt Doherty just outside the Arsenal box – sparking widespread outrage from fans and pundits.Oliver claimed it was “serious foul play”, while Sky pundit Micah Richards labelled it “the worst decision I’ve ever seen in Premier League football history”.Three days later, the FA overturned the three-match ban for Lewis-Skelly – but Arsenal were still handed a £65k fine for the on-field reaction to the decision by the players.And Webb said: “From the outset, we would prefer a yellow card in this situation.READ MORE ON ARSENAL“[Oliver] saw the player moving in towards an opponent without any ability or intention of playing the ball. He felt it was serious foul play.“But we know that for serious foul play, we need excessive force or brutality and what we see here is that high contact [just] glancing and coming off the leg quite quickly.“So for that reason, everybody pretty much in the game has formed the same conclusion that this is falling short of serious foul play, because of that glancing contact.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMichael Oliver’s Conversation with VAR After Myles Lewis-Skelly red cardOliver said of the incident: “I’m going to go red card, mate. Red card on the ankle. Red card, serious foul play.”England replied: “Just checking the red card for serious foul play. OK, it’s for serious foul play, not DOGSO (Denying an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunity).“OK, for me the contact’s on the top of the foot.”The assistant VAR chimed in by saying: “I think he catches him on the side of the ankle first. It glances off the side of the ankle down onto the foot. So the first impact is more that Achilles area.”England then said: “So first impact is on the Achilles, on the shin.”The assistant VAR chimed in: “With no chance of playing the ball.”England then stated: “So, it’s high up above the ankle then it comes back down. OK, just get me the number please.”Identifying Lewis-Skelly as the culprit, the assistant said: “It’s number 49, Lewis-Skelly.”England then told Oliver: “Michael, confirming the on-field decision of red card for serious foul play for Myles Lewis-Skelly. Away, 49. Check complete.”“Because the studs don’t really go right into the leg, they glance in before coming down onto the foot.Most read in Football“There are some considerations that might support a red card, but there are a whole host of others that say it is not quite there, so on balance we would rather this had been a yellow card.”Arsenal wonderkid Lewis-Skelly’s mum reveals he’s ‘still on washing-up duty’… and how she nearly missed Man City goalIn the released referee audio from the match, Oliver says straight away to VAR official Darren England after Lewis-Skelly’s challenge: “I’m going to go red card, mate. Red card on the ankle. Red card, serious foul play.”After a back and forth with his VAR assistant, England concludes that the “first impact is on the Achilles, on the shin” and replied: “Confirming the on-field decision of red card for serious foul play”.Webb continued: “We feel the VAR should have been involved, but they didn’t want to re-referee the situation, they were mindful of the referee’s call standing unless it is clearly and obviously wrong.“They felt it wasn’t at that level on the day and decided to leave it as a red card on the field. “I’ve heard this described as a really horrendous officiating decision. It’s not!“I understand why the referee saw this on the day as a serious foul-play action. “It’s an understandable on-field decision.”Darren England didn’t encourage Michael Oliveir to review the incident on the monitorCredit: SKY SPORTSEx-Prem ref Howard Webb believes Michael Oliver made the wrong callCredit: SKY SPORTSArsenal were fined £65,000 for their players’ reaction to Lewis-Skelly’s sending-offCredit: PAIn the days after in the incident, Oliver received social media abuse and threats towards himself and his family and had police protection at his home after the PGMOL reported it.It is one of NINETY cases of abuse towards refs police have assessed since the start of last season.Webb said: “It’s wholly unacceptable. We know criticism comes out way. “It’s part and parcel of the job, but there’s a line, isn’t there?“Nobody should be subject to threats, their families shouldn’t be subject to threats, whether that be officials or players. READ MORE SUN STORIES”We have seen all participants being exposed to those sorts of things.”Arsenal will be back in action Saturday afternoon, welcoming West Ham to the Emirates. More

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      The ‘middle-ground’ that could save VAR, as FA Cup proved football can do just fine without it

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      FOOTBALL life without VAR is bearable.More than that – by all the evidence from the FA Cup so far, it is a reasonable proposition.VAR continues to cause controversy week after week in the Premier LeagueCredit: AlamyNewcastle’s FA Cup win at League One Birmingham showed we don’t need total VARCredit: GettyOne incident in particular provides support for this view. It occurred when Birmingham goalkeeper Bailey Peacock- Farrell beat away a shot from Newcastle’s Joe Willock on or beyond the goal-line.Blues supporters thought the man with the fanciest name in football had just kept out the shot until the linesman flagged and referee Matt Donohue waved play to the centre spot.Willock had equalised and his side went on to win the fourth-round tie 3-2.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWith no goal-line technology in play because the match was held at a League One ground, imagine VAR trying to pick that apart.Referee Donahue would have asked for a ruling on a very tight decision. Cue a delay while set-squares and microscopes were (imaginatively) brought into play and a verdict finally reached.Not exactly the magic of technology.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSI prefer the speed of the ref’s reaction, his assistant’s verdict here was swift and almost certainly correct. No VAR no cry. What a shame that we’ll now see VAR used for the rest of the competition.Moment Nottingham Forest fans ‘try to bribe Anthony Taylor’ during VAR check as hilarious footage goes viralIt used to be carry-on regardless in the Premier League, too, but in the endless squabble between perfectionists and realists, the seekers of absolute truth won.It may be less than an invention to suggest a referee be able to press a button and an AI verdict will come back instantly with an answer.Until that slightly worrying day, let us be pleased that necessity led the FA for a while to abide by the whistle and leave VAR to gather dust.People fortunate enough to support a Premier League club are less lucky and have total VAR complete with constant interruptions. EFL have it in play-off finals and promise it elsewhere very soon.There are, it is true, several plusses to technology, such as quick and correct answers on whether a goal-line has been crossed.MARK HALSEY: Questions have to be asked of VAR after Lewis-Skelly sending off… here’s what SHOULD have happenedBy Mark HalseyVAR Darren England should have recommended a review as soon as referee Michael Oliver showed Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red card for his challenge on Wolves’ Matt Doherty.An official has to decide whether the challenge was careless or reckless — careless is a free-kick only, reckless is a yellow card — or worthy of a red card.When a player lunges at an opponent with one or two feet from the front, the side or from the back which endangers the player’s safety with excess force or/and brutality, it must be sanctioned with a red.I saw it as a reckless challenge worthy of a yellow, not a red.So why did Darren not recommend a review? Once the red card was shown, the VAR should have intervened.If Michael had the opportunity to view the challenge again, I’m sure he would have changed his mind, cancelled the red card and issued a yellow.As for Arsenal fans’ views that Michael is biased against them, I’m not buying into that. You can never question the integrity of a match official and Michael is one of our best referees.Officials cannot get everything right and that is why we have VAR to help. So questions have to be asked of Darren.With the second yellow for Joao Gomes after catching Jurrien Timber on the ankle, you could argue that was a worse challenge than the Lewis-Skelly one.The major success of VAR, however, is the speed and precision of offside verdicts.Linesmen are good judges but inevitably do not always find it possible to decide on the basis of the length of a foot or elbow. On VAR it is a doddle and quick.Not so with free-kicks or yellow or red cards. These decisions are sometimes a good deal longer and often dubious.VAR itself does not make corrections, it is a helpmate for refs to make theirs.The methodology is sound but perfection is no easier to find than the holy grail. Never-before-seen moment in English football as referee speaks to crowd to confirm why Spurs goal ruled out vs LiverpoolStill, because VAR gives referees a second look, it soon became the Japanese knotweed of our game – once present, nothing short of a bomb will stop it.Various methods are being tried to speed up the process and waiting times have been cut to average 64 seconds. Yet the solution is easy to see. Bin total VAR. Trust the ref.Football was successful for well over a century before VAR. Referees in those days might have protested at being held responsible for United or City losing but the truth is they still are.They are the focus of the blame game and although do-gooders thought VAR would rectify all errors and cut down offensive and obscene shouting among fans, it hasn’t.READ MORE SUN STORIESOverall, I would compromise. Tech works on line decisions but is very slow and almost as faulty for fouls given by refs who take only a fraction of the time.And it’s easier to forgive a wrong decision made by genuine human error, than one made by a machine. More

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      Premier League release VAR statement after Everton’s dramatic equaliser but key omission will anger Liverpool fans

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      LIVERPOOL fans have been left fuming with the Premier League’s VAR statement for Everton’s late equaliser in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.James Tarkowski thundered home a controversial equaliser in the 98th minute of the feisty 2-2 draw, leading to a VAR check.Everton’s James Tarkowski netted a dramatic late leveller in a pulsating derbyCredit: APThe defender netted a thundering strikeCredit: ReutersEverton fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrateCredit: PAA VAR check threatened to spoil the party at Goodison ParkCredit: GettyLiverpool players had complained of a potential offside and foul in the build-up to the goal, but after a lengthy VAR check the goal stood.A statement released on the Premier League’s Match Centre X account cleared up the offside.It read: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR- who established that Doucoure was in an onside position in the build-up.”However, there was no mention of a check for a foul on Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate by Everton’s Beto.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe omission had left the Red half of Merseyside furious, with many Liverpool fans taking to social media to vent their frustrations.One wrote: “Didn’t check for the foul though”.While another added: “We ignoring pushing nowadays? Useless.”A third commented: “What about the blatant foul after the offside?”Most read in FootballThe Premier League shared an image showing the onside callCredit: X @PLmatchcentreLiverpool fans felt that Beto fouled Ibrahima Konate in the build up to the goal tooCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd a fourth fumed: “Yeah, what about the foul? Hmm??? Abolish the PGMOL”.Liverpool fans were hoping that a “push” from Beto into the back of Konate would be seen as a foul and rule the goal out.Rod Stewart steals show as he does duet with Carragher and dances at Celtic v Bayern However, the decision ultimately was’t given in their favour.Tarkowski’s late goal led to drama on the pitch as Toffees supporters spilled onto the playing surface to celebrate a point in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.While tempers flared between players too as Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure came to blows in front of the fans in the stands, leading to a mass brawl involving both sets of players.Both Doucoure and Jones were sent off by referee Michael Oliver for their part in the passionate incident.Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown red cards in the aftermath of the fracas. A massive brawl erupted on the field at Goodison Park after the late Everton levellerCredit: GettyCurtis Jones (No. 17) was sent off after a furious confrontation with Abdoulaye DoucoureCredit: GettyStewards and police were tasked with restoring calm after Everton dramatically snatched a pointCredit: AFPLiverpool boss Arne Slot was later sent off after clashing with Michael OliverCredit: Reuters More

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      Major change to VAR to be introduced for FA Cup fifth round despite concerns about accuracy

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      THE FA CUP fifth round is set to be the testing ground of semi-automated offside technology.The technology, also known as SAOT, is set to be introduced into the fifth round of England’s premier cup competition with a view to a wider introduction to English football later on.Semi-automated offside technology was successfully used at the 2022 World CupCredit: FIFAIt is now set to undergo a live trial during the FA Cup fifth roundCredit: AFPSAOT was successfully used at the 2022 World Cup and was set to be brought to the Premier League in autumn after clubs unanimously voted to bring it in last April.However, officials were not satisfied with its accuracy when testing in stadiums, leading to it being delayed and prompting frustration.According to The Guardian, the technology is now set to be trialled in the FA Cup fifth round.The report says the system has been refined and its effectiveness improved considerably in the past month.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPGMOL chief Howard Webb and the Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes, have both now given their approval.Seven of the eight ties in the fifth round are being played at Premier League grounds, with the exception of Championship side Preston, making it ideal for an extended live-testing stage.Top-flight clubs will be officially informed about the trial by the Premier League at its shareholders’ meeting in London today.SAOT and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) have not been used in any of the previous rounds of the competition to ensure a “consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition”.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThis led to several controversial decisions, including Harry Maguire’s last-gasp winner for Manchester United against Leicester in the fourth round which would have been ruled offside with the help of technology.It is hoped the tech will reduce the waiting time for offside decisions to be made if VAR is introduced by more than 30 seconds.VAR ruined Coventry’s iconic FA Cup moment with offside decision in semi-final – but was technically CORRECTCamera footage and special tracking software are used to calculate the position of players at the moment of a potential offside, removing the need for VAR teams to manually add lines to still images.During Everton’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, James Tarkowski’s last-gasp equaliser took four minutes before it came to a decision. Scholes had previously admitted to being sceptical until seeing recent improvements. He said: “I have to confess, given the difficulties that we had over the first few months of the season [with SAOT testing] I had severe doubts.”But the progress made over the last four to six weeks has been significant. “We believe we’re going to be adopting the best system and the most accurate system.”FA Cup fifth round draw in fullHere are all the games from the next round in the FA Cup…Preston North End vs BurnleyAston Villa vs Cardiff CityDoncaster/Crystal Palace vs MillwallManchester United vs FulhamNewcastle vs Brighton and Hove AlbionBournemouth vs Wolverhampton WanderersManchester City vs PlymouthExeter City/Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town More

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      Watch ‘softest penalty in history’ give Club Brugge ‘disgraceful’ last gasp Champions League win over Atalanta

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      FANS have slammed a huge Champions League refereeing blunder as the “worst decision of the season”.Club Brugge scored a 94th minute penalty to beat Atalanta 2-1 in a first leg play-off round clash.Gustaf Nilsson went down holding his face after a clash with Isak HienCredit: TNT Sports The referee controversially gave a penalty despite minimal contactCredit: TNT Sports The official then gave three Atalanta players bookings for their protestsCredit: RexNilsson dispatched the penalty for Club BruggeCredit: EPABut the decision to award the last-gasp spot-kick for a foul on eventual goalscorer Gustaf Nilsson was highly controversial.The striker chased down a loose ball in the box, only for Atalanta defender Isak Hien to get there first and hold him off.His right arm ended up brushing his Swedish compatriot, who went down clutching his face theatrically. Turkish referee Halil Meler pointed to the spot and the decision was surprisingly not overturned by VAR.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFuming Atalanta stars surrounded the referee, with Rafael Toloi, ex-Chelsea man Juan Cuadrado and Hien all getting yellow carded.Nilsson kept his cool amid the chaos and scored to take a one-goal advantage to Italy next week.Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini stormed down the tunnel as the ball hit the back of the net, ripping his coat off as he went.Fans were left shocked by the decision, with one saying: “Might be the worst decision I’ve seen all season.”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnother added: “Disgraceful decision.”A third wrote: “Worst penalty decision ever. Absolutely embarrassing.”Ref Meler is no stranger to being at the centre of controversy after being punched by Ankaragucu’s club president Faruk Koca at full-time of a game just over a year ago.Ex-Premier League midfielder given red card but bizarrely allowed to continue playing after discussion with opponents More

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      Fans slam ‘longest VAR check ever’ as Man City vs Real Madrid hit by HUGE delay despite semi-automated technology

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      FANS were left fuming as Erling Haaland’s Manchester City opener against Real Madrid was subject to a lengthy VAR check.The Norwegian’s strike was finally awarded after it was deemed that he had been onside when Josko Gvardiol chested the ball down to him.The goal was subject to a lengthy checkCredit: ReutersHaaland was onside when Josko Gvardiol chested the ball to himCredit: Prime VideoErling Haaland celebrates firing Man City into the leadCredit: ReutersHaaland scored in the 19th minute of the contest.It was nearly five minutes before the goal was confirmed, despite the Champions League using semi-automated offside technology.A visual graphic eventually illustrated that only Haaland’s hand had been in an offside position.And as you cannot score with your hand, the forward was confirmed as being onside.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans were left bewildered at the delay.One wrote on X: “I don’t think I’ve seen a longer VAR check before. If it’s clearly not offside give it as a goal and move on!”While a second sarcastically added: “Five minutes to confirm what was obvious. UEFA drama at its finest.”During the delay, Haaland could be seen exchanging words with Vinicius Jr.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHaaland was narrowly deemed to be onsideCredit: Prime VideoThe Real Madrid star was mocked by a City tifo as the teams walked out.Vinicius had been left extremely disappointed when he missed out on the Ballon d’Or to Rodri.Wayne Rooney rips into Man City after just three seconds of Amazon Prime jobReal Madrid even boycotted the event over their winger’s snub.Poking fun at Real’s stance, City fans held up a huge image of Rodri kissing the Ballon d’Or trophy, with the Oasis lyrics: “Stop crying your heart out.”City took a cheeky dig at Vinicius Jr’s Ballon d’Or snub More

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      ‘Goalkeepers should be complaining’ – Fifa referees chief Pierluigi Collina calls for major penalty rule change

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      PIERLUIGI COLLINA, arguably the world’s greatest ever referee, has proposed a a major rule change to penalty kicks.The Italian is currently the chairman of the Fifa Referees Committee.Pierluigi Collina has proposed a change to the penalty kick rulesCredit: GettyHe has suggested the ball should be dead if saved by the goalkeeperCredit: ReutersThe legendary ref hung up his whistle back in 2005 but remains well respected in football.He believes that goalkeepers should be complaining about the current penalty rules.Collina has insisted the attackers should not be allowed to take advantage of a rebound if the initial shot is saved.His plan would mean that if the penalty is saved, the ball is then dead and then leads to a goal kick.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLCollina, 64, told Repubblica: “I believe there is an excessive gap between the opportunities available to the attacker and those of the goalkeeper.”On average, 75 per cent of penalties are already scored, and often, the penalty kick is a bigger chance than the one taken away by the foul.”On top of that, the attacker is also given a chance to play the rebound off the goalkeeper. In my opinion, goalkeepers should be complaining.”I’ve already mentioned this in discussions we’ve had at IFAB.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”One solution is the ‘one shot’ rule. Just like in penalty shootouts after extra time.”No rebound. Either you score or play resumes with a goal kick, period.Never-before-seen moment in English football as referee speaks to crowd to confirm why Spurs goal ruled out vs Liverpool”This would also eliminate the spectacle we see before a penalty is taken, with everyone crowding around the area.”It looks like horses at the starting gates before the Palio di Siena (a traditional Italian horse race with jockeys riding bareback).”He has also suggested that the introduction of offside technology is a benefit to the game.He added: “At 40 metres from the goal, perhaps two centimetres are not decisive, but in the penalty area they become so.” More