PGMOL audio from VAR decisions
The organisation that runs elite refereeing in England has taken a different direction under new head of refereeing Howard Webb.
Following a series of VAR controversies and criticisms about how the system works, the PGMOL started releasing audio for key decisions as a way of making things more transparent.
REFSIX is built to help referees get in better positions, analyse their performance and reflect when things don’t go to plan. We welcome the approach from the PGMOL and hope it continues to shine a light on both correct and wrong decisions so that VAR can continue to improve as a system.
Below we list the clips and decisions that have been released by the PGMOL this season. We hope you find them useful to think about how you make decisions on the pitch.
Luis Diaz's disallowed goal v Tottenham Hotspur
It’s always controversial when a decision is wrong, but with VAR the visibility to everyone watching is heightened to a new level. The Tottenham vs Liverpool game this season provided that example and became major news around the world. Here’s the audio from that VAR decision:
PGMOL have also provided the following information:
"As stated shortly after the full-time whistle on Saturday evening, we acknowledged in a statement that a significant human error had occurred during the aforementioned match, which we recognise should have resulted in a goal being awarded through VAR intervention.
"As with all goal situations, the VAR team checked every aspect of the goal. After the on-field officials had disallowed the goal for offside, the checking phase and process started and was carried out correctly by the VAR. The kick-point selection was accurate and the use of a single 2D line on the foot of the second rear-most defender was also correctly positioned.
"The image created showed that Luis Diaz was clearly onside, without the need for the insertion of a second line. In a lapse of concentration and loss of focus in that moment, the VAR lost sight of the on-field decision and he incorrectly communicated “check complete”, therefore inadvertently confirming the on-field decision. He did this without any dialogue with the AVAR [Assistant VAR].
"The match then restarted immediately. After a few seconds, the Replay Operator and then the AVAR queried the check-complete outcome with the VAR and asked him to review the image that had been created, pointing out that the original on-field decision had been offside, but this was not communicated to the on-field team at any point during the match.
"The VAR team then gave consideration as to whether the game could be stopped at that point, however the VAR and AVAR concluded that the VAR protocol within the Laws of the Game would not permit that to happen, and they decided intervention was not possible as play had restarted.
"The audio between the on-field team of match officials and the VAR team is below.
"PGMOL has carried out a review into the circumstances which led to this incorrect outcome and the subsequent learnings will be implemented to mitigate the risk of errors occurring in the future."
Malo Gusto's red card v Aston Villa
Jarred Gillett initially booked Gusto and awarded a free kick. During a regular VAR check, the decision was questioned and asked the referee to have an on-field review. Gusto’s yellow card was upped to red after the referee saw the footage of the tackle, as it was clearly dangerous.
REFSIX has been developed to give referees at every level the kind of technology that will help them make better decisions and be in the right position. If you are a referee, download the app today for free.
