More stories

  • in

    Fans left baffled as VAR reviews WRONG incident during Brentford vs Everton clash

    FANS were left baffled as VAR reviewed the wrong image during Brentford’s clash with Everton.The Toffees led through Abdoulaye Doucoure, before Mathias Jensen levelled for the home side.
    VAR mistakenly reviewed this imageCredit: Premier League
    Officials should have been checking this imageCredit: Sky Sports
    Mathias Jensen equalised for BrentfordCredit: Getty
    Everton supporters felt that they may be given a reprieve, when a VAR check seemed to draw a line suggesting there had been an offside in the build-up.
    But it was later revealed that they had been wasting time reviewing the wrong image.
    Officials were examining the position of Brentford’s central forward… who was not active as they were looking at the previous pass to a different player 0 much to the Evertonians’ ire.
    One tweeted: “So the 1st VAR check was Offside and then they realised, they were looking at a wrong frame.
    READ MORE BRENTFORD NEWS
    “These Officials really haven’t a Clue!!!!”
    While a second wrote: “WTF were they looking at ? Jesus Christ Almighty.”
    A third fumed: “VAR officials tried to rule out the goal using the wrong frame.”
    Another added: “Did the officials on VAR really just study the wrong phase of play for ages on that Brentford goal?
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    “They really are abhorrently useless.”
    Sean Dyche’s men went into the match chasing their first Premier League victory of the season.
    Their solitary point to date came in the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.
    They took the lead on just six minutes via Doucoure’s sweet half-volley.
    But Jensen’s strike pegged them back, just moments after Doucoure had struck the woodwork. More

  • in

    Fans spot Reguilon ‘trying to s***house’ ex-team-mate Harry Kane before penalty after ‘scandalous VAR decision’

    EAGLE-EYED viewers spotted Sergio Reguilon’s attempts to “s***house” former team-mate Harry Kane – but it proved to be unsuccessful.The Spanish defender left Tottenham to join Manchester United on loan last month.
    Sergio Reguilon came face-to-face with Harry Kane in the Champions League tonightCredit: Getty
    Fans spotted his ‘s***house’ tactic ahead of the Bayern striker’s penaltyCredit: TNT Sports
    And his ex-Spurs colleague also departed North London to join the German giants in a £104m transfer deal.
    The two men came face-to-face tonight as Bayern hosted United in the Champions League.
    The Red Devils made a miserable start as an Andre Onana howler gifted Leroy Sane the opening goal before Serge Gnabry doubled the advantage before the break.
    United gave themselves a lifeline when Rasmus Hojlund pulled one back after the restart, but a penalty from Kane soon restored Bayern’s two-goal advantage.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    Both fans and United players alike were fuming over the decision to award the spot-kick, which was given after a VAR check when Dayot Upamecano headed it against Christian Eriksen’s arm from close range.
    One supporter fumed on Twitter: “This handball rule, which only exists because of VAR, is pathetic. That’s a scandalous decision.”
    But as Kane prepared to take the spot-kick, the familiar face of Reguilon was in his face speaking to him in an apparent attempt to try and put him off.
    And viewers were quick to notice his attempts at the dark arts.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    “Reguilon trying his best there to put Kane off from his penalty,” wrote one on social media.
    Another said: “Reguilon trying to s***house Kane.”
    “Dismal attempt to psych him out,” said another viewer, while another commented: “Dirty attempt by Sergio.”
    UNIBET SIGN UP OFFER: GET £40 BACK AS CASH IF YOUR FIRST BET LOSES More

  • in

    Arsenal were AGAIN victims of blunder with VAR lines and Everton couldn’t have complained if Martinelli’s goal stood

    I DO not think there would have been any complaints had Gabriel Martinelli’s disallowed first-half goal stood.Defender Gabriel’s pass deflected off Beto before it reached Eddie Nketiah.
    Gabriel Martinelli had a goal against Everton disallowedCredit: Reuters
    The VAR lines were not parallel to check if Nketiah was offsideCredit: Sky Sports
    The Everton striker did not deliberately touch the ball and, with Nketiah in an offside position in the build-up, VAR ruled the goal should be chalked off.
    At the time, I actually thought Martinelli might have been the one penalised and the officials possibly hid behind the law when making the decision.
    The law states that a player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate.
    It eventually became clear that it was Nketiah but the VAR lines were not parallel and to get a sound judgment they needed to be parallel which they were not.
    Read more Arsenal news
    It’s not the first time Arsenal have felt wronged by VAR.
    Last season, the lines to check whether a Brentford goal was offside were not drawn up, which cost the Gunners two points.
    Halsey told SunSport: “Whether it is offside, a foul in the passage of play leading up to the goal or an accidental handball by the goalscorer — the VAR has to look at all aspects.
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    “It looked at the time that it might have been offside but, from the footage, it was not clear because the cameras did not appear as if they were parallel to the play.”
    Most read in Football
    The decision proved to be academic on Sunday, as Arsenal managed to secure an away win at Everton.
    Leandro Trossard’s second half strike was enough to secure all three points for the Gunners. More

  • in

    Landmark VAR moment at Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace as fans left stunned by extremely rare refereeing decision

    FANS were left stunned by a rare refereeing decision during Aston Villa’s win over Crystal Palace.Referee Darren England was involved in a landmark VAR moment during the dramatic clash on Saturday.
    Darren England stuck with his decision after consulting the VAR monitorCredit: PA
    England had pointed to the penalty spot after he deemed that Villa striker Ollie Watkins had been fouled by Chris Richards.
    However, he was then called over to the pitchside monitor following a VAR check to review his decision.
    Following a lengthy stoppage, though, England opted to stick with his on-field decision, much to the surprise of fans inside the stadium and at home.
    England’s call marked the first time this season that a Premier League referee has gone against VAR and stuck with his decision.
    READ MORE CRYSTAL PALACE NEWS
    Reacting to the incident, one fan tweeted: “Darren England sent to the monitor by his VAR team and sticks with his original decision. Only Palace.”
    Another added: “Finally a referee who sticks with his decision when incompetent VAR tries to overrule. Fair-play Darren England.”
    A third supporter also commented: “I need to hear the 5 minute long conversation Darren England had with the VAR immediately.”
    Meanwhile, one more wrote: “Can’t remember the last time a ref didn’t overturn a VAR screen review… Had to be Darren England against us didn’t it.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Once the penalty was finally taken, Douglas Luiz scored from 12 yards to give Villa the lead deep into stoppage time.
    Leon Bailey then made it 3-1 in the 11th added minute to complete the scoring and seal a comeback win for the hosts.
    Palace had been ahead as late as the 87th minute following Odsonne Edouard’s opener.
    However, they were pegged back by Jhon Duran before the stoppage time drama saw Villa claim all three points.
    VAR had reviewed the decision to award Aston Villa a penaltyCredit: Reuters More

  • in

    Wales fans rage at VAR as Latvia ace avoids red for ‘disgusting’ lunge as Aaron Ramsey helps clinch crunch Euro 2024 win

    WALES fans were left raging after Janis Ikaunieks escaped a “definite red” after a disgusting challenge on Jordan James – even after a VAR check.The Welsh secured a 2-0 win in Latvia in their crunch Euro 2024 qualifier thanks to Aaron Ramsey’s first half penalty and a late David Brooks strike.
    Aaron Ramsey helped fire Wales to a crucial win in LatviaCredit: AP
    Welsh players were fuming over a challenge on Jordan JamesCredit: Reuters
    The referee deemed it only worthy of a yellow card despite a VAR checkCredit: AP
    The main talking point came midway through the second period when the 19-year-old Birmingham City midfielder knocked the ball past his Latvian rival just inside his own half.
    But despite him having no chance of winning possession, Ikaunieks nastily lunged for the ball but instead kicked the Welsh ace directly on the kneecap, leaving him writhing in agony.
    The Wales team were fuming and instantly protested with the referee as he only gave the Latvian a yellow card.
    VAR then ordered the official to check out the pitchside monitor for a possible red card for the cynical hack.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL
    However, Ikaunieks ended up unbelievably staying on the field after the referee decided that his original decision would stand – leaving fans and pundits alike in disbelief.
    “One of the most blatant red cards you will ever see,” tweeted one.
    Another asked: “How has the ref not given a red for that?”
    A fellow supported said: “Player gets booted in the knee well after the ball has gone, no red card after looking at the replay for an age. Disgraceful refereeing.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Ex-Wales striker Ian Walsh told BBC Radio Wales: “That is an absolute joke.
    “You talk about standards, and all the intricate rules in football now that you can and you can’t do.
    “Something as obvious as that and you’re not off the pitch. That is a disgrace.”
    And fellow former Welsh frontman Nathan Blake agreed, telling BBC Radio Wales: “I can’t believe it. That is a disgraceful decision.”
    Meanwhile, Ramsey completed a century of career goals to keep Wales’ slim hopes of reaching Euro 2024 alive.
    But the big question is will Rob Page still be in charge when their bid to reach Germany resumes next month?
    Talk of the building pressure following the disastrous back to back defeats in June dominated the build up to this game.
    And a narrow win over the group minnows – thanks to the captain’s first half spot-kick and an injury time second from sub Brooks – may not be enough to save him.
    Croatia’s win in Armenia earlier in the day coupled with three points in Riga means Wales are still fighting – although they have little margin for error in the autumn.
    This was a game they simply had to win – and after just one victory in their last 13 games nothing could be taken for granted.
    Yet they could have been ahead inside the first couple of minutes as Spurs new boy Brennan Johnson was sent clear by Ethan Ampadu but blasted his effort over the angle.
    Ampadu himself nodded a chance over while Ben Davies saw a header tipped over by Roberts Ozols in the Latvia goal.
    The result might still not be enough to save Rob Page’s jobCredit: EPA
    The Dragons were looking confident and they got the goal they deserved when Kaspars Dubra needlessly barged over Harry Wilson.
    It was a clear penalty and skipper Ramsey was cool from the spot as he sent Ozols the wrong way for his 21st international goal.
    Neco Williams and Johnson both fluffed opportunities to extend the lead and Wales were almost punished for their wastefulness at the end of the first half.
    Latvia – ranked 134th in the world – created three good chances with Ikaunieks heading the best one straight at the feet of Danny Ward.
    When Ramsey had to be withdrawn early in the second half it could have affected the visitors but they continued to dominate.
    Tottenham fans will be hoping their new £47.5million signing Johnson is saving his goals for them as he could have had a hat-trick here.
    Ikaunieks can count himself lucky to escape a red card for a wild tackle on James – with the VAR decision taking an age to sort out.
    And it would have been hard for Wales to stomach if the midfielder’s late effort went in – but luckily for them it was just the wrong side of Ward’s post.
    Read More on The Sun
    But deep in stoppage time Wilson played in Brooks who expertly clipped in his first international goal since beating cancer.
    A heart-warming moment and a big three points – whether it is enough to save Page remains to be seen. More

  • in

    Virgil van Dijk has Liverpool ban extended and fined £100k after calling ref ‘f***ing joke’ following Newcastle red card

    VIRGIL VAN DIJK has been slapped with a £100,000 fine while seeing his Premier League ban extended for his outburst against match officials.The defender was sent off in the 29th minute of Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.
    Virgil van Dijk has been handed an extended ban and fine for his outburst during the Newcastle gameCredit: Rex
    Van Dijk was upset as his sending off by referee John BrooksCredit: Rex
    Van Dijk was judged to deny Toon ace Alexander Isak a goalscoring opportunity when he fouled him on the edge of the area, seeing the 32-year-old handed a straight red card.
    However, the Reds captain was left fuming with the decision and took it up directly with referee John Brooks and fourth official Craig Pawson – with footage from the exchange revealed to the public.
    The X-rated rant saw Van Dijk label the decision a “f***ing joke” before continuing his complaints while heading down the tunnel at St James’ Park.
    Van Dijk missed Liverpool’s final Premier League outing – a 3-0 win over Aston Villa – before the International break.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    But he will now also miss their first game back against Wolves on September 16, with Liverpool sitting third in the league after taking ten points from a possible 12.
    An FA statement confirmed Van Dijk had been charged with improper conduct, landing him an additional game ban and £100,000 fine.
    It read: “The defender admitted that he acted in an improper manner and used abusive and insulting words towards a match official after being sent off in the 29th minute.
    “The sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    “Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course.”
    Following the decision, Van Dijk released a statement on social media.
    He said: “I’d just like to make clear I totally accept the panel’s decision.
    “It was the first red card of my Liverpool career and I let my frustrations get the better of me in an intense and heated moment.
    “I apologised immediately after the game to the match officials and take full responsibility.”
    He continued: “Time to move forward now.
    “I will continue supporting the team in every way I can.”
    Van Dijk also admitted he deserved his red card when speaking to reporters over the International break, but insisted the move was out of character.
    He said: “That was not typical for me.
    “But it was the red card anyway. I’ve never got one before at Liverpool, and I think only about four times in my entire career. But apart from that I still started the season well.”
    Read More on The Sun
    Van Dijk played the full duration of the Netherlands EURO 2024 qualifier against Greece, a clash they won 3-0.
    He will be expected to feature once again when Oranje take on Ireland on September 10. More

  • in

    Newly-released audio reveals how VAR convinced ref Taylor to overturn Kai Havertz’s penalty shout in Arsenal vs Man Utd

    AUDIO of the decision to overturn a penalty awarded to Kai Havertz during Arsenals’ victory over Manchester United has been released.The audio and video footage was released as part of the new Match Officials: Mic’d Up show on Sky Sports.
    Havertz was awarded a penalty initially for a perceived foul by Aaron Wan BissakaCredit: Getty
    But VAR intervened to overturn the decisionCredit: Rex

    The programme sees PGMOL chief Howard Webb review the weekend’s decisions alongside Michael Owen in the Sky Sports studio.
    The show sees the refs chief go through both correct and incorrect calls from the weekend in an attempt to increase transparency in the refereeing process.
    Tuesday’s show saw them break down the decision to overturn Anthony Taylor’s call to award a penalty to Kai Havertz after he was judged to have been fouled by Aaron Wan-Bissaka – with Webb concluding it was the right call.
    Webb said: “I was watching this game and thought to myself, that looks like a penalty kick. 
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    “At full speed as Kai Havertz goes between Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro. The penalty was given and we know that the VAR will always check every penalty situation.
    “It was a good use of VAR. The referee believed that Wan-Bissaka had tripped Havertz, but the video shows something quite different that there’s no actual contact initially.
    “Another step by Havertz, his leg goes into Wan-Bissaka. The VAR, really calm and concise, recognises all of that, thinks it’s a clear and obvious error. I agree. Recommends a review. We get to the right decision.”
    The man in charge of VAR that day was Australian Jared Gilette, who explained to Taylor that while on first watch it did seem as though Wan-Bissaka had tripped Havertz, replays showed that the German had let his leg trail – and initiated the contact as he went down.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    After Gilette explained his view to on-field referee Taylor, the decision was overturned and a drop-ball was given to restart play.
    There was also VAR controversy late on as Alejandro Garnacho’s 88th minute strike was ruled out for a tight offside.
    The goal would have put United 2-1 up and possibly secured all three points for Erik Ten Hag’s side. Instead, Declan Rice struck a dramatic 96th minute winner for the Gunners before Gabriel Jesus scored a third to seal the win for Arsenal. More

  • in

    Listen to ref shout ‘GO NOW’ at Van Dijk after red card as VAR audio is released with Liverpool star set for longer ban

    VIRGIL VAN DIJK ignored orders from referee Jon Brooks to leave the pitch after his Newcastle red card – and that seems set to hand the Liverpool skipper an extra match ban.Van Dijk’s dismissal by Brook was backed by refs’ chief Howard Webb during the first of this season’s monthly editions of “Match Officials Mic’d Up” to explain and clarify contentious Prem decisions.
    [embedded content]
    Virgil van Dijk reacts to his sending-of in a 2-1 win at NewcastleCredit: Getty
    Liverpool defender VVD was red-carded for his foul on Alexander IsakCredit: Reuters
    The show broadcast, for the first time, the communications between Brooks and VAR Stuart Attwell and the referee’s comments to Van Dijk, after he brought down Toon striker Alexander Isak.
    Brook instantly determined a red card offence, explaining “he comes through the man to play the ball” and telling the Liverpool players, firmly, to “move away” while the VAR check was undertaken.
    He then told Van Dijk to “wait” for the final decision, adding: “You will need to go immediately if I tell you you’ve got to go.”
    As Liverpool continued to try to persuade him to change his mind, Brooks went on: “It’s clearly a foul. Don’t do anything silly after. You will be sent off unless it’s offside.”
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    Despite then being told “Free-kick. Go. Go. Go now. No offside”, the Liverpool skipper refused to accept the decision until he was reluctantly persuaded to leave the pitch.
    That and subsequent comments to officials landed Van Dijk with an FA charge and Webb, speaking to former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen, confirmed: “It’s a good identity of a foul by John Brook and it has to be a red card.”
    Webb also backed ref Anthony Taylor and VAR Jarred Gillett after the Kai Havertz penalty decision against Manchester United on Sunday was overturned.
    The audio showed Taylor explaining he believed there had been a trip by Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the Arsenal man, but Gillett swiftly identified there was no contact before the German ran into the defender on his way down.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    During the check, Taylor told both teams “I’ve explained why I think it’s a pen. He will check and if it’s wrong I will change it.”
    Webb said: “That was a good use of VAR. The ref thought Wan-Bissaka had tripped him but there was no contact.”
    The ref’s chief did, though, aim a pot-shot at United boss Erik ten Hag’s complaints that Alejandro Garnacho’s late strike at the Emirates was wrongly disallowed for offside.
    He said: “I was surprised by some of the comments post-game on this. It was a clear offside situation. The technology was used by the calibrated cameras to identify quite rightly that Garnacho was ahead of Gabriel and the goal quite rightly disallowed.”
    But while Webb also backed the red card for Burnley’s Anass Zaroury on the opening night of the season against Manchester City and the penalty awarded to the champions at Sheffield United, he admitted the champions’ second goal in the weekend win over Fulham was one of two significant errors that had taken place this term.
    Fulham were furious that Nathan Ake’s header stood after it went through the offside Manuel Akanji, with VAR Tony Harrington and his assistant Adam Nunn ruling the Swiss defender had not interfered with Bernd Leno’s view.
    Webb, though, conceded: “This should have been disallowed. The VAR and AVAR didn’t think it was clearly impactful but you can see Leno hesitates and waits for contact from Akanji. This was an error.”
    The other mistake was one Webb admitted to on the night when he told Wolves boss Gary O’Neill should have had a spot kick when United keeper Andre Onana bulldozed into substitute Sasa Kaladzic.
    Webb added: “The VAR over-thought this after going down the road of recommending a review. It was an error and a penalty should have been given.” More