Did Referees’ UAE Trip Contribute to Liverpool’s Loss at Tottenham?
The fallout from Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Saturday has been overshadowed by the officials appointed to referee it. Referee Simon Hooper made a number of baffling calls, while VAR Darren England and his assistant Dan Cook failed to communicate that Luis Diaz’s goal, deemed offside, was legitimate. Now, it has come to light that the three officials were heavily involved in decisions in the game were on duty at a game in the UAE just two days beforehand.
UAE Trip Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns
It should be of note, then, that both England (pictured) and Cook were flown out to the United Arab Emirates to serve as VAR and assistant referee for a match on Thursday. Also involved in that game was Michael Oliver, fourth official on Saturday, who refereed the clash between Sharjah and Al Ain on Thursday. Full-time at the Sharjah Stadium was around 7pm BST, with the officials then required to travel back to the UK and prepare for their day jobs.
While it is not uncommon for English referees to be involved in high-profile matches overseas, the fallout of Liverpool’s defeat at Spurs certainly calls it into question. Such a tight turnaround between duties in the UAE and back in England should be considered a conflict of interest for PGMOL, the English referees’ group.
PGMOL Takes Action
England and Cook have been stood down from their duties for two further games this weekend, though Hooper is yet to receive punishment. The uproar surrounding Saturday’s game has stretched beyond Merseyside, with the level of failings from England and Cook in particularly a concern for all involved in the Premier League.
Oliver, England, Cook and Stuart Burt, who also operated as assistant referee in the UAE, were all on duty for Saturday games in the Premier League. Burt was assistant VAR for West Ham‘s 2-0 win over Sheffield United, while Oliver (fourth official), England (VAR) and Cook (assistant VAR) were appointed to support Hooper in Tottenham vs. Liverpool.
Error in Denying Diaz’s Goal
That is particularly the case given the monumental error in denying Diaz’s goal which, if you believe PGMOL, came with both England and Cook failing to communicate the check they were making. It is claimed that those in the VAR booth believed they were checking to confirm that the Liverpool winger was onside, when it fact it was an offside check. Hooper was told “check complete” and the game went on with Tottenham taking a quick free-kick and the score still 0-0, with the officials no longer able to call it back.
The level of failings from England and Cook in particular has raised questions about whether or not their trip to the UAE contributed to their performance on Saturday. While it is impossible to know for sure, it is clear that PGMOL must take steps to ensure that such a conflict of interest does not arise again.