Howard Webb Apologizes to Liverpool as VAR and Assistant VAR Removed from Duty

The fallout from Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Saturday has been unprecedented, with refereeing group PGMOL admitting a “significant human error” from VAR. It came with Luis Diaz’s goal incorrectly ruled out for offside with the scores at 0-0 in north London, with there claimed to have been a mixup in the VAR booth.

In response, VAR for the game, Darren England, and assistant VAR Dan Cook have both been removed from their duties for the remaining games over the course of this Premier League weekend. Furthermore, Howard Webb was in contact with Liverpool on Saturday night and issued an apology for the situation, according to the Independent’s Miguel Delaney.

Sunday was set to see England in place as fourth official for Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford, but he has now been replaced by Craig Pawson. Meanwhile, Eddie Smart has been appointed assistant referee for Fulham vs. Chelsea on Monday night, in place of Cook.

PGMOL and the Premier League are expected to announce the official appointed for next weekend’s fixtures – including Brighton vs. Liverpool – on Tuesday. There is a high chance both England and Cook will not feature on the list of referees and VAR on duty, while it remains to be seen whether they will be demoted. Meanwhile, Hooper remains set for duties as fourth official for Fulham vs. Chelsea.

VAR Mixup Leads to Unprecedented Fallout

The situation that unfolded during Saturday’s match between Liverpool and Tottenham was unprecedented and has caused a huge stir in the footballing world. With the scores at 0-0, Luis Diaz had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside by VAR, leading to an outcry from both Liverpool fans and players alike.

The explanation given by PGMOL was that there had been a mixup in the VAR booth, with both Darren England and Dan Cook believing they were checking to confirm that Diaz was onside. This explanation is outrageous and hardly believable, but it is what has come to be expected from PGMOL and their officials.

Swift Action Taken by PGMOL

In recent years, however, there has at least been swift action when it comes to errors from referees and VAR, and this has been the case on Sunday. England and Cook have both been removed from their duties for the remaining games over the course of this Premier League weekend. Furthermore, Howard Webb was in contact with Liverpool on Saturday night and issued an apology for the situation.

Sunday was set to see England in place as fourth official for Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford, but he has now been replaced by Craig Pawson. Meanwhile, Eddie Smart has been appointed assistant referee for Fulham vs. Chelsea on Monday night, in place of Cook.

Further Punishment Likely

The hope will be, and is certainly likely, that both England and Cook will face further punishment for their oversight. PGMOL and the Premier League are expected to announce the official appointed for next weekend’s fixtures – including Brighton vs. Liverpool – on Tuesday. There is a high chance both England and Cook will not feature on the list of referees and VAR on duty, while it remains to be seen whether they will be demoted. Meanwhile, Hooper remains set for duties as fourth official for Fulham vs. Chelsea.

The situation that unfolded during Saturday’s match between Liverpool and Tottenham was unprecedented and has caused a huge stir in the footballing world. It is clear that PGMOL is taking swift action to rectify the mistake made by VAR and assistant VAR, and it is likely that further punishment will be handed out in due course.