Tottenham vs Liverpool VAR audio WILL be released to the public, once the Reds have had a chance to listen – and it could be published even before Howard Webb’s next TV appearance
PGMOL has promised to release its audio of discussions between match officials during Saturday’s controversial Premier League clash between Tottenham and Liverpool.
The Reds have demanded PGMOL to reveal the audio after VAR failed to overturn an incorrect decision to disallow Luis Diaz’s first-half goal, which was initially deemed offside by the on-field officials.
In the wake of the controversial match, which Tottenham won 2-1 thanks to a late own goal by Joel Matip, PGMOL apologised for the error and claimed that the decision to rule out the goal was the result of ‘a significant human error’.
It added: ’This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention.’
Mail Sport now understands that PGMOL are now promising to release the audio, although a review into the contentious decision is still ongoing.
Luis Diaz’s goal for Liverpool against Spurs on Saturday was wrongly adjudged offside by VAR
Diaz looked to have put Liverpool ahead, but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside
PGMOL released a statement in the aftermath of Liverpool’s defeat – revealing a ‘significant human error’ had caused VAR not to overturn the original on-field decision of no goal
Howard Webb, technical director of PGMOL, is keen to release the audio and will discuss the decision on the next episode of the new monthly television show Match Officials Mic’d Up
Although there were internal disagreements over whether the audio should have been released in the aftermath of Saturday’s blunder, PGMOL chief Howard Webb was keen to release it immediately.
Liverpool’s scathing statement to PGMOL
‘Liverpool Football Club acknowledges PGMOL’s admission of their failures last night (Saturday).
‘It is clear that the correct application of the laws of the game did not occur, resulting in sporting integrity being undermined.
‘We fully accept the pressures that match officials work under but these pressures are supposed to be alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR.’
It is believed to be a case of when rather than if PGMOL release the audio at this stage, with Webb set to discuss the decision and the unheard discussions on the next episode of new monthly television show Match Officials Mic’d Up.
PGMOL have not ruled out releasing the audio prior to the next show, however the review must first go through Liverpool following their complaint.
On Sunday, Liverpool released a statement branding the mistake ‘unacceptable’ and claimed they would ‘explore the range of options available given the clear need for escalation and resolution’.
It was also urged by Liverpool that ‘sporting integrity had been undermined’.
Darren England, who was in charge of VAR during Saturday’s clash, and his assistant Dan Cook have both been stood down for another round of Premier League fixtures as a result of the error, after initially been dropped for the remainder of last weekend.
At the time of the incident, the VAR officials mistakenly thought the on-field decision was onside, so did not correct the blunder.
Meanwhile, Simon Hooper, who was the referee during the match, has been appointed as the VAR at Everton versus Bournemouth this Saturday.
PGMOL are now also reviewing their policy on referees working abroad, as England and Cook were officiating a match in the UAE just 48 hours before the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp (right) argues with fourth official Michael Oliver (left) after the VAR blunder
Liverpool, who released a scathing statement to PGMOL on Sunday, have sent a formal request for the audio of the conversations between referee Simon Hooper (pictured) and the VAR team
Darren England (centre) was on VAR duties alongside his assistant Dan Cook (left) and the pair have been stood down from officiating ahead of the upcoming round of Premier League games
Source: Read Full Article
