VAR

LEE MASON has been stood down from VAR duty this weekend.The official didn’t spot an offside in the build up to Brentford’s leveller at Arsenal on Saturday.
Lee Mason has been stood down from VAR duty this weekend
Mason failed to spot Christian Norgaard’s offside in the build up to Brentford’s equaliser against Arsenal on SaturdayCredit: Sky Sports
Mason currently only works on VAR after retiring as an on-pitch official.
But he has been stood down from his duties this weekend.
The 51-year-old was not included in the Premier League’s list of appointments for the upcoming round of fixtures.
Mason supposedly forgot to draw the lines to determine if Christian Norgaard was offside as he was looking at another incident in the build-up to Brentford’s leveller in the 1-1 draw.
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It left Ivan Toney to score what could be a killer equaliser to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes come the end of the season.
The refereeing body, the PGMOL, wrote to Arsenal to apologise citing human error, and Howard Webb called an emergency meeting with all officials.
After the match, boss Mikel Arteta said: “I just looked back and it is offside.
“Have they explained why it wasn’t allowed? No. It is frustrating but they will probably give an explanation later in the week. Today we haven’t got one.
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“You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules. Suddenly you change the rules and then you have to change your principles.
“So tell us before so then you don’t hold the line that high.
“Because you’re always going to have an advantage if you get blocked. You cannot block if you are offside.”
There was also controversy as Pervis Estupinian’s strike for Brighton was incorrectly ruled out for offside as VAR John Brooks made the decision based on the wrong Crystal Palace defender.

That led to Brooks being AXED from the VAR team for Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Everton and Wednesday’s showdown between Arsenal and Manchester City.
But Brooks will return this weekend as fourth official for Aston Villa vs Arsenal on Saturday. More

ARSENAL legend Martin Keown has shockingly called for VAR to be suspended after a weekend of huge errors.His former club drew 1-1 with Brentford but the Bees’ equalising goal, scored by Ivan Toney, came after Christian Norgaard was offside in the build-up.
Lee Mason supposedly forgot to draw the offside linesCredit: Sky Sports
Martin Keown has been left raging at VARCredit: Getty
VAR official Lee Mason supposedly forgot to draw the lines to determine if the Dane was offside as he was looking at another incident in the build-up to the goal.
There was also controversy as Pervis Estupinian’s strike for Brighton was incorrectly ruled out for offside as John Brookes in Stockley Park made the decision based on the wrong Crystal Palace defender.
The refereeing body, the PGMOL, have written to Arsenal and Brighton to apologise citing human error, meanwhile, and Howard Webb has called a meeting with all officials.
However, a fuming Keown suggests VAR may need to be ditched until the refs can use it without big mistakes.
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He told talkSPORT: “Is it getting to the stage where we have to suspend VAR until we get it absolutely right? These [mistakes] are glaring.
“To forget to put a line in, I mean I’m trying to look at a comparable of that in any other job or walk of life.
“Obviously, we want to progress in the Premier League, want to be ground-breaking and lead the way.
“But you have to look at the process, these individual decisions. Have we got enough people in the actual booths? 
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“In the World Cup, there were seven people in that room and they got everything pretty much right, didn’t they? There were good people, top people, well trained. We’re getting it wrong.
‘Maybe there aren’t enough people, maybe they’re not taking enough time. Just take your time and get the decision right.
‘I’m looking at Lee Mason being involved in a succession of mistakes in the VAR room. How many mistakes are you allowed to make?
“We don’t want to come down too hard on people because it’s brand new technology, so I’m looking at the overall systems.
“It’s not just one person, it’s a group of people making mistakes.
“Maybe they need to look at the system here and more people need to be involved to make the right decision because it has lasting effects. 
“Look at Brentford this weekend. People will say they deserved it, but not really. Offside is offside.
“This is the one area they told us they can’t make mistakes. And they’re making glaring mistakes.”
In response to the VAR horror show, Brookes has been taken off duty for the clash between Liverpool and Everton as well as Arsenal’s crucial game versus Manchester City in midweek.
Although the PGMOL have only admitted two errors, fans believe there were more questionable decisions made at the weekend.
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West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek appeared to handle the ball in the box against Chelsea.
And Wolves’ Mario Lemina was given a second yellow card for being the third player to approach a referee to protest.

Gunners fans are convinced Christian Norgaard was offsideCredit: Twitter
Brighton’s goal was ruled out after the offside was based on the wrong playerCredit: Twitter: @BBCMOTD More

OPTA’S supercomputer has revealed how Arsenal and Manchester City could not be closer in their epic Premier League title race after a controversial weekend.The Gunners were left fuming after being denied all three points against Brentford on Saturday because VAR failed to spot an offside.
Arsenal are currently edging Man City in the title raceCredit: Rex

Bees star Christian Norgaard was in an offside position when he crossed for Ivan Toney to equalise.
The PGMOL contacted Arsenal over the incident to explain what led to the mistake – VAR Lee Mason had failed to draw the lines to check if Norgaard was offside.
It is not the first time poor officiating has cost Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and they could be more than two points clear at the top of the league if correct decisions had been made.
However, they could stretch their advantage to five points if they can overcome second-placed Man City, who beat Aston Villa 3-1 yesterday, on Wednesday.
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Ahead of the Emirates showdown, Opta’s Premier League season predictions have the two teams within 0.01 per cent chance of one another to win the 2022-23 title.
And Arsenal are just edging it at present with 48.90 per cent compared to City’s 48.89 per cent.
However, the stats also show that the current leaders also have a 43.10 per cent chance of finishing second, which is greater than City’s 42.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, fresh from their 2-0 win at Leeds, Manchester United appear on course to seal third spot with 62.5 per cent.
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That is way above Newcastle’s 11 per cent, although they remain faves for fourth with 33.5 per cent as fifth-placed Tottenham only have 19.4 per cent.
Down at the bottom, and managerless Southampton look to finish bottom, according to the stats.
They have a 46.2 per cent of keeping that position, while Bournemouth (28.6 per cent) look nailed on for 19th as Everton (22.7 per cent) appear to be heading to end the campaign in the drop zone in 17th. More

BLUNDER VAR John Brooks has been AXED by refs’ chief Howard Webb after his wrong line shocker at Crystal Palace.Brooks was due to be on VAR duty for tonight’s Merseyside derby and Wednesday top of the Prem clash between Arsenal and Manchester City.
John Brooks has been removed as the VAR for two games this weekCredit: PA
Pervis Estupinan’s goal against Crystal Palace was wrongly chalked offCredit: Getty
But Webb has acted immediately after Brooks wrongly ruled out Pervis Estupinan’s first-half goal for Brighton at Selhurst Park.
Brooks drew the offside line from James Tomkins to decide the South American was offside.
But he MISSED the fact that Marc Guehi was standing BEHIND Tomkins and would have played Estupinan onside.
Webb, who has summoned all the PGMOL officials to an compulsory “emergency” meeting tomorrow, decided that Brooks had to carry the can for his errors.
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It comes after he also apologised to Arsenal for VAR Lee Mason’s failure to spot TWO offsides in the lead-up to Brentford’s equaliser at the Emirates on Saturday.
Mason even FORGOT to draw the lines to check if Christian Norgaard was offside in the build-up to Ivan Toney’s equaliser.
Brooks will be replaced at Stockley Park by Andre Marriner for tonight’s Merseyside derby, with David Coote taking over on Wednesday.
Both clubs have been contacted by the Premier League, who are investigating how human error led to the incorrect calls being made.
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But that will be of little help to league leaders Arsenal who can point to refereeing mistakes in every Prem game they have dropped points in.
That includes the decision to chalk off Gabriel Martinelli’s goal against Manchester United for a supposed Martin Odegaard foul on Christian Eriksen, which the Premier League now accept was the wrong call. More

VAR referee John Brooks, who wrongly disallowed a Pervis Estupinan goal for Brighton against Crystal Palace, has been handed Arsenal’s HUGE Premier League title clash with Manchester City.Estupinan’s first-half goal was ruled out after a VAR review for offside.
VAR referee John Brooks will man the screens for Arsenal’s crunch clash with Man City DESPITE wrongly disallowed a Pervis Estupinan goal for Brighton against Crystal PalaceCredit: Reuters
However, the PGMOL have since issued a statement admitting to “significant errors” that denied Brighton the goal in the 1-1 draw with rivals Palace at Selhurst Park.
Howard Webb, the head of the Prem referees, apologised for last weekend’s mistakes.
Another ref clanger happened in North London in the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Brentford.
Arsenal were unhappy at the error by video assistant referee Lee Mason in awarding Brentford’s equaliser on Saturday.
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Mason FORGOT to draw offside lines when reviewing Ivan Toney’s goal for Brentford.
And with the Gunners already furious following the decision that saw them drop two points to rivals Man City in the title race, VAR ref Brooks will be the man reviewing decisions for Wednesday’s crucial match, The Athletic writes.
One Arsenal fan fumed: “The premier league is the only place you can make such a mistake and then be rewarded with one of the biggest games of the season days later…”
Another said: “Surely this can’t be allowed…. pending investigation he should be suspended.”
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Defeat on home soil to City this week would see the defending champions take top spot on goal difference.
However, Arsenal do still have a game in hand and the two sides will meet again later on in the season. More

ARSENAL have fallen victim to a referee error in each of the five Premier League games they have dropped points in.The Gunners were denied all three points against Brentford on Saturday because VAR failed to spot an offside.
VAR failed to draw the lines to check if Christian Norgaard was offside
Refereeing mistakes have cost Arsenal in each of the five Prem games they have dropped points inCredit: Getty
Bees star Christian Norgaard was in an offside position when he crossed for Ivan Toney to equalise.
The PGMOL contacted Arsenal over the incident to explain what led to the mistake – VAR Lee Mason had failed to draw the lines to check if Norgaard was offside.
It is not the first time poor officiating has cost Mikel Arteta’s side this season, and they could be more than two points clear at the top of the league if correct decisions had been made.
Here are the other notable incidents where a refereeing blunder cost the league leaders.
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Arsenal vs Everton
The Gunners suffered their second Prem defeat of the season at Goodison Park last week.
But moments after James Tarkowski headed the hosts in front, which proved to be the winner, Arsenal felt they should have had a penalty.
Gabriel appeared to have been tripped in the box by Neal Maupay but referee David Coote awarded Everton a free-kick instead, and his decision stood despite a VAR check.
Former ref Peter Walton told BT Sport that the spot-kick may not have been awarded because Gabriel initiated the contact.
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Gabriel appeared to be fouled by Neal Maupay
Arsenal vs Newcastle
Gabriel was also denied a penalty during January’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle.
The centre-back was manhandled by Dan Burn in the penalty area and he felt the contact was significant enough to go to ground.
But the ref and VAR ignored Arsenal’s penalty pleas, much to the annoyance of Gabriel who took to Twitter to vent his frustrations.
The Sky Sports pundit were unanimous in their belief that a penalty should have been awarded, as was Arteta who slammed the “scandalous” decision.
Gabriel tumbled over in the box under a challenge from Dan BurnCredit: Getty
Arsenal vs Southampton
Arsenal drew 1-1 with the Saints but could have had a 2-0 lead if Gabriel Jesus was awarded a penalty.
The Brazilian was dragged back by Southampton’s Duje Caleta-Car and tumbled over, but referee Robert Jones seemingly felt there was not enough contact.
Yet on the same weekend Armando Broja won a penalty for Chelsea after being fouled in similar fashion by Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.
Ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey told SunSport that Arsenal were “robbed” by the decision not to award a penalty.
Gabriel Jesus was pulled to the ground by Duje Caleta-CarCredit: Getty
Arsenal vs Manchester United
United inflicted a first defeat of the season on Arsenal in September but the game could have had a very different outcome if Gabriel Martinelli’s opener had stood.
The Brazilian raced through to score but after a VAR check the goal was chalked off with Martin Odegaard deemed to have fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up.
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There was minimal contact between the pair and Arsenal skipper Odegaard fumed about the decision.
The Premier League later admitted the decision to disallow the goal was incorrect.
The Premier League admitted they made a mistake in awarding Christian Eriksen a foulCredit: Rex More

PGMOL chief Howard Webb has called a meeting for ALL refs next week after a Saturday overshadowed by VAR cock-ups.Prem leaders Arsenal were left incensed as Ivan Toney’s offside Brentford equaliser was allowed to stand.
Howard Webb was left ‘incredulous’ by the decisionsCredit: Getty
Arsenal were incensed by Brentford’s equaliser being allowed to standCredit: Sky Sports
While Brighton saw a goal incorrectly chalked off against rivals Crystal Palace.
Both Arsenal and Brighton went on to drop points, with Webb reportedly “incredulous” at what happened.
According to the Mail, all refs will have to attend a “summit” at Stockley Park next week to wade through the mess.
Brentford’s goal was allowed to stand after VAR Lee Mason “forgot” to draw the lines that would have adjudged Christian Norgaard to have been offside.
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John Brooks was VAR on the Palace-Brighton game and while he did remember to draw the offside line… he did so from the wrong player.
Webb, 51, wrote to both Arsenal and Brighton to apologise and clarify what had happened.
In an official statement, the Seagulls confirmed that they had accepted the PGMOL’s apology.
It read: “As was confirmed to the club by PGMOL last night, a serious error was made in disallowing Pervis Estupinan’s goal at Crystal Palace yesterday afternoon.
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VAR John Brooks drew the line from the wrong playerCredit: Twitter @BBCMOTD
“The lines drawn in the VAR room to determine whether Pervis was in an offside position were drawn incorrectly, and the goal should have stood.
“While hugely disappointed by the error, the club has accepted PGMOL’s apology and will not be making any further comment.”
The PGMOL’s own statement read: “PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday.
“Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL.”
Lee Mason is not currently booked for any further matches, although John Brooks is currently scheduled to be the VAR for tomorrow’s Merseyside derby and Wednesday’s Arsenal vs Manchester City clash. More

ARSENAL and Brighton have both been contacted by the PGMOL after being on the end of VAR “human errors” on Saturday.Ivan Toney’s equaliser for Brentford in their 1-1 draw with the Gunners should have been ruled out for offside but the VAR failed to draw the lines to disallow it.
VAR failed to rule out Brentford’s goal despite Ethan Pinnock being in an offside position
Brighton were denied a goal when the VAR official drew the lines next to the wrong Brighton player
And at Selhurst Park in a game between Crystal Palace and Brighton, another mistake saw the VAR referee draw lines next to the wrong player when checking Pervis Estupinan’s goal for the visitors – which was disallowed.
Now referee chiefs have contacted both clubs who were on the wrong end of the calls – Arsenal and Brighton – and ensured the matters are being investigated.
A short statement from the PGMOL read: “PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday.
“Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL.”
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was left raging at the offside call as his side were denied a victory which would have seen them regain their eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
He said: “I’ve looked back at the goal and it was offside. They haven’t explained why it wasn’t ruled out and we’ll be giving our views to the Premier League.
“You have to apply certain principles in defending set-pieces and you do that by sticking to the rules.
“But apparently they were not applied and if you suddenly change those rules you tell us before the game so you don’t defend with the line so high.
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“We apply what the referee tells us every single week before the game – that if the  blockers are offside then it will be ruled out.
“I also think their player was offside when he crossed the ball. I was hoping that the cameras and visuals would pick that up because it looks like there were two actions.
“But it’s too late and now we’ve dropped two points.”
Even Brentford boss Thomas Frank admitted: “I agree that when we took the free-kick, Pinnock is [in] an offside position.
“Then, as far as I understand the football laws, the next question is did he influence the cross?
“VAR decided it was not enough to rule out the goal and I agree.
“But every week there are VAR decisions that go marginally one way or the other.”
Following the result, a Manchester City win over Aston Villa on Sunday will give them the chance to knock Arsenal off top spot with victory at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s draw with Palace leaves them four points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand. More