VAR Drama: Newcastle vs. Liverpool and More Premier League Controversies
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions are once again the talk of the Premier League, sparking debates and frustrations among fans, players, and pundits alike. Every week, VAR seems to find itself at the center of controversy, and this past weekend was no exception. From penalty claims to red cards, let’s dive into the key incidents and decisions that had everyone talking.
Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool
Possible Penalty: Quansah Challenge on Isak
What happened: In the 77th minute, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak broke into the box and went down under a challenge from Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah. Isak appealed for a penalty, but referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue. VAR, led by Stuart Attwell, reviewed the incident.
VAR decision: No penalty.
VAR review: At first glance, it looked like a clear penalty, with Quansah appearing to place his leg across Isak. However, a replay from behind the goal revealed that Quansah got a touch on the ball before making contact with the striker. Since the tackle wasn’t reckless and Quansah didn’t go through Isak to reach the ball, there was no basis for VAR to intervene. In fact, had a penalty been awarded, it likely would have been overturned.
Verdict: Correct decision. Quansah’s touch on the ball was clean, and the challenge didn’t meet the threshold for a foul.
Bonus Controversy: Full-Time Whistle Drama
Newcastle fans were left fuming when referee Andy Madley blew the whistle for full-time as they launched a counter-attack. While guidance suggests referees should allow the final attack to play out, there has to be a cut-off point. Madley’s intention was to end the game when Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope released the ball, and he had already raised his whistle to his mouth as the ball was in the air. The decision sparked debate, but ultimately, referees must draw the line somewhere.
Possible Penalty/Violent Conduct: Van Dijk on Gordon
What happened: In the 38th minute, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was barged into by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk after his shot was saved. The question arose: Should there have been a penalty or even a red card?
VAR decision: No penalty or red card.
VAR review: The ball was still in play, so both a penalty and a red card were possible outcomes. However, Van Dijk’s shoulder-to-shoulder contact wasn’t deemed excessive or reckless, ruling out a red card. As for the penalty, VAR decided the referee’s judgment of a “coming together” wasn’t clearly and obviously wrong. That said, Van Dijk’s actions—barging into Gordon with no intention of playing the ball—were questionable.
Verdict: Van Dijk was fortunate. While the incident didn’t meet the threshold for VAR intervention, it highlighted the inconsistencies in how such situations are handled.
Southampton 1-5 Chelsea
Possible Red Card: Stephens’ Hair Pull on Cucurella
What happened: In the 37th minute, Southampton’s Jack Stephens pulled the hair of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella during a corner. Referee Tony Harrington missed the incident, but VAR, led by Matt Donohue, stepped in.
VAR decision: Red card.
VAR review: Hair-pulling isn’t automatically a red card, but in most cases, it should be. Stephens’ actions were less violent than a similar incident involving Tottenham’s Cristian Romero last year, but both warranted red cards. Stephens will now serve a four-match ban, having already been sent off earlier this season.
Verdict: Correct decision. Stephens’ actions were unnecessary and unsportsmanlike, and VAR’s intervention was justified.
Leicester 3-1 West Ham
Possible Goal: No Foul by Soucek on Hermansen
What happened: West Ham’s Tomáš Souček thought he had scored in the 58th minute, but referee Josh Smith ruled it out for a foul on Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. VAR upheld the decision.
VAR decision: No goal.
VAR review: Souček impeded Hermansen’s space, making it impossible for the VAR to overturn the on-field decision. Interestingly, this match marked the debut of Neil Davies as a lead VAR, part of a new program to fast-track assistant referees into the video chair.
Verdict: Soft call, but consistent with the rules. Davies handled his first VAR assignment well.
Key Takeaways
- VAR continues to divide opinion, with decisions often hinging on subjective interpretations.
- New programs to train assistant referees as VARs could improve decision-making in the long run.
- Consistency remains a major issue, as similar incidents often yield different outcomes.
As the Premier League season progresses, one thing is certain: VAR will remain a hot topic. Whether it’s penalty claims, red cards, or disallowed goals, the technology is here to stay—and so are the debates.
Originally Written by: Dale Johnson
