Unmasking Football’s Most Disputed VAR Calls

Liverpool vs Tottenham 30th of September 2023 – A Game of Inches

Liverpool’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur will forever be etched in football history, with VAR taking centre stage overturning a critical ruling that left fans and players in disbelief. The decision to disallow Luis Díaz’s goal for offside during the first half of this match left a sour taste for Liverpool.

The particular VAR decision in question fueled a significant debate, as the search term ‘Luis Diaz VAR’ amassed 10,000 Google searches around the date of the game. In sharp contrast, the prior month witnessed fewer than 1,000 searches, highlighting the controversy involving this decision.

Subsequently Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) acknowledged the gravity of the situation, labelling the disallowed goal as a “significant human error” and extending an official apology to Liverpool for the regrettable mistake. After the game, Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, called for the team’s Premier League defeat by Tottenham to be replayed after VAR failed to intervene. Despite the protests, the Premier League rules that could force a game to be replayed would not apply to Tottenham and Liverpool because they are only intended for rule breaches such as ineligible players taking to the pitch.

Source: Twitter user @centregoals

Manchester United vs Wolves 14th of August 2023 – Controversy in dying the moments

The Manchester United vs Wolves clash on August 14th, 2023, presented another VAR-related controversy. The goalkeeper André Onana’s desperate attempt to punch the ball inadvertently led to a collision with an oncoming attacker, thwarting their chance to score. Despite this lengthy review from VAR, the verdict resulted in no penalty, which cost Wolves a valuable point.

The VAR decision, teetering on the brink of the finest margins, triggered extensive debates and discussions. This specific VAR ruling sparked a substantial debate, with the search term ‘Wolves VAR’ generating 12,000 Google searches around the date of the game. In stark contrast, the preceding month recorded a mere 1,000 searches, underscoring the controversy surrounding this decision. The incident highlighted the intricate balance between technological assistance and the human element in football officiating.

Source: Twitter user @FootyAccums

Fulham vs Wolves 27th of November 2023 – Controversy strikes Wolves again

Fast forward to the Fulham vs Wolves match on November 27th, 2023, and VAR controversy struck again for Wolves. This time, a fair tackle executed by Nelson Semedo for Wolves, who successfully won the ball inside the box, became the subject of intense scrutiny. VAR intervened and awarded a penalty to the opposing team despite clear video evidence posted by writer @Paul Embery showing the Wolves player making contact with the ball.

The decision, once again, sparked controversy, underlining the ongoing challenges in striking a balance between technology and the human element in football officiating.

Source: Twitter user @PaulEmbery

As football grapples with these unfamiliar challenges, the ongoing conversation about VAR prompts contemplation on the sport’s dynamic evolution. It underscores the need to enhance and streamline the use of technology in decision-making. Football enthusiasts worldwide have witnessed these rulings, leading them to question the very essence of the sport they hold dear.

Credit Ticket Compare who produced the above content