During a season characterized by intense scrutiny of match officials and the VAR system, Liverpool has found itself at the center of controversial refereeing decisions. The PGMOL, under fire for notable errors, has issued numerous apologies to affected clubs. Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer of PGMOL, has taken to television to address these mistakes and has suggested measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
One particularly disputed call revolved around Diogo Dalot of Manchester United, who received two quick yellow cards for dissent against Liverpool. Michael Oliver’s choice to send off the full-back in the late stages of the game has faced criticism for potentially penalizing a defender for minor infractions while his team was securing a clean sheet.
Fans will find relief in the news that VAR will not play a role in the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash between Liverpool and West Ham on December 20. The absence of VAR in these early rounds is attributed to certain clubs lacking the necessary technology at their stadiums. In a bid to maintain fairness, the Premier League refrains from deploying VAR during these stages, reserving its use for the semi-final and final at Wembley next year. The other three quarter-final fixtures include Everton facing Fulham, Chelsea taking on Newcastle, and Port Vale meeting Middlesborough.
This season’s contentious decisions and the subsequent responses from PGMOL and Howard Webb underscore the ongoing debate surrounding officiating in football, with technology playing a pivotal but sometimes controversial role. The spotlight on refereeing decisions and the absence of VAR in certain matches highlight the complexities and challenges of balancing fairness and technological limitations in the beautiful game.
