MANCHESTER CITY appeared to be denied a clear first-half penalty as Trent Alexander-Arnold handled the ball inside the box. From my perspective, the right-back seemed to position his arm unnaturally, making an intentional movement to block the ball’s path to Raheem Sterling.
The inconsistency in VAR application across games is causing concerns, and I disagree with the Premier League’s statement that deemed the handball not deliberate. The statement notably omitted mention of Bernardo Silva’s accidental handball in the play, leaving assumptions about the PGMOL’s assessment of the City winger’s actions.
Referee Michael Oliver’s view might have been obstructed by Sergio Aguero, necessitating VAR intervention. Interestingly, the VAR official took nearly four minutes to review an offside call at Tottenham, whereas this critical decision in a goalless game took just 46 seconds under Paul Tierney’s assessment, which seemed unusually swift.
Liverpool’s subsequent goal soon after City’s penalty appeal compounded Pep Guardiola’s frustration. Mo Salah netted their second, prompting debate about potential offside from Andrew Robertson’s cross. Sky’s analysis indicated John Stones played Salah onside, and VAR’s quick 60-second check supported that decision accurately.
Later in the match, Sterling appealed for a penalty when Alexander-Arnold’s left arm blocked his shot. In this instance, Oliver’s call seemed accurate as the defender kept his arm naturally down by his side, without intentionally enlarging his body.
MY FIVE-POINT PLAN FOR VAR
1. Follow IFAB protocol: Intervene only for clear and obvious errors.
2. Mandatory use of monitors: On-field referee to make the final decision.
3. Limit offside checks to one minute.
4. Address grey areas and camera angles’ inconsistencies.
5. Establish transparent communication between on-field ref and VAR.
I’ve observed three months of VAR in the Premier League, and its implementation hasn’t met expectations. While supportive of VAR’s concept, its current execution leaves room for improvement.
Considering the recent decisions, especially Sheffield United’s disallowed goal against Tottenham, it’s evident that improvements are needed. This disallowed goal raised questions about camera angles and the offside phase of play.
Inconsistencies persist in VAR’s application. Burnley’s goal rightly disallowed for offside showcased accurate use of technology, yet Leicester’s penalty appeal was overlooked. Such incidents highlight the need for more consistent VAR judgment.
Ultimately, VAR’s effectiveness and consistency remain questionable in its current state, and significant refinements are imperative to ensure its credibility and fairness in officiating.