Luis Diaz Gives His Side of the Story After VAR Controversy Against Tottenham

Luis Diaz has given his side of the story after the uproar over his disallowed goal against Tottenham, admitting the VAR decision “hit him very hard.”

The controversy surrounding Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham was largely overshadowed by the quality of Luis Diaz’s finish for the goal that was controversially ruled out. While Jurgen Klopp and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have already given their take on the situation, the wronged goalscorer had remained quiet until now.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Colombia’s clashes with Uruguay and Ecuador, Diaz admitted: “The goal issue was a bit complicated. At the time it hit me very hard. But not only for me, but for all my colleagues. [At half-time] we talked a lot about it, it was a positive [goal] that was going to help us.”

Diaz also discussed his conversation with fellow Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez on their flight to Barranquilla for Colombia’s World Cup qualifier. “We joked that ‘you are going to lose’, and so on. We wish each other the best and that the best person wins. He knows that the heat issue is hard, that it is hard to play at this time. He took well what I told him about the temperature. Now it’s his turn for the best to win. We are going to go look for the result.”

The Wrongful Disallowed Goal

The disallowed goal occurred in the second half of Liverpool’s match against Tottenham on December 16th, 2020. With Liverpool already down to 10 men after a red card to Sadio Mane, Diaz scored what appeared to be a legitimate goal in the 71st minute. However, VAR Darren England and the team of officials ruled that there had been a handball in the build-up to the goal, and it was disallowed.

The decision was met with widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike, with PGMOL forced to announce major changes moving forward. While Diaz’s goal would not have necessarily changed the outcome of the match, it would have galvanised 10-man Liverpool towards a potential victory.

VAR Changes Moving Forward

In response to the controversy surrounding Diaz’s disallowed goal, PGMOL announced major changes to VAR protocols moving forward. The changes include allowing referees to consult pitchside monitors when making decisions, as well as allowing referees to overturn decisions if they believe they have made an obvious error.

PGMOL chief Howard Webb will explain the situation in more detail on Sky Sports on Tuesday night. These changes should help ensure that similar errors do not occur in the future.

Conclusion

While Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal against Tottenham was undoubtedly a major injustice, he has taken it in stride and moved on. He is now focused on Colombia duty, where he will face off against fellow Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez in a World Cup qualifier played in excessive heat.

The controversy surrounding Diaz’s disallowed goal has led to major changes in VAR protocols moving forward, which should help ensure that similar errors do not occur in the future.