After a week where Premier League referees were reported to have met with Mike Riley, the manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, to discuss the use of the video assistant referee, the system once again provoked huge controversy as Sheffield United were denied a goal.
Republic of Ireland striker David McGoldrick thought he had equalised during his side's game against Tottenham after he got on the end of a superb Enda Stevens cross. However, VAR interrupted to scrutinise the start of the build-up.
It was tight but the replays show Lundstram was offside in the build-up#TOTSHU pic.twitter.com/xJyEVHMS4s
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 9, 2019
It took three minutes and forty-seven seconds for a decision to be reached. Meanwhile, Sheffield United players and fans had already celebrated and were left bewildered as they waited for some communication.
The concept of 'clear and obvious' errors does not apply to offsides, which is why the decision was made. Per the rules set out at the start of the season, a player is either onside or offside.
Phil Thompson's reaction to Sheffield United's disallowed goal by VAR
?"Think of the punters in the stands" ? pic.twitter.com/mWRuKP0UKW
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 9, 2019
VAR at its absurd worst rules out a @SheffieldUnited equaliser for offside which is impossible to see one way or the other. WTF are they doing to our game?
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) November 9, 2019
Utterly ridiculous. https://t.co/ge0BKA0YSv
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) November 9, 2019
Why are people still surprised at this rubbish? #TOTSHU #VAR pic.twitter.com/gbcIkDgrze
— Sam Quek (@SamanthaQuek) November 9, 2019
One of the suggested fixes that was discussed during the midweek meeting was whether match officials should be allowed to consult pitchside monitors as they do in other leagues. In this case, it is unlikely marginal calls would result in punishment for the attacking team.
Last week, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp called for clarification on the system after Roberto Firmino had a goal ruled out.
