Football News: Liverpool v Spurs VAR Offside Mishap

I think those that say Liverpool FC had their explanation and now we should move on are missing the point. There is no explanation! The audio only makes it worse. 3 times, the Asst VAR confirmed that they are happy with an offside call until the operator told them the image clearly states it's onside.

So:
1) It wasn't just a miscommunication. Asst VAR confirmed it's an offside call in spite of what the images tells them

2) Not once, twice, but 3 times Asst VAR confirmed they are happy with an offside call

3) They only sense a screw up when the operator stated clearly it's onside. In any case, the only person cognisant that on-field is offside, but the right decision is offside at this point is the operator. Not VAR nor his assistant.

4) So what image and decision was finally shown in the stadium screen? They only have an onside image, so did they show that but state it's offside or didn't show it all together? And if they didn't, did they break protocol?

5) And is there really such a protocol that once the game moves on, you can't bring it back? The Man United v Brighton game, final whistle blown, a very distinct end to the game, but after VAR checked, play was brought back to the point of PK.

It wasn't just a human error as they tried to frame it. It's still either utter incompetence (that VAR didn't spot an offside or they didn't know what offside based on the audio), or corruption.

The full transcript is here. Note the on-field referee can't hear everything except those directed to him:

VAR: Possible offside, Diaz.

Assistant referee 1: Coming back for the offside, mate.

VAR: Just checking the offside, Delay, delay.

VAR: Give the kick point, let's go. Kick point, please?

Referee: Yeah, no worries, mate.

Replay operator: So here we are.

Referee: Wait.

Replay operator: Just get a tight angle.

VAR: Yeah, give me a 2D line ready after this one for frame two after that.

Replay operator: So frame two there?

VAR: That's fine.

VAR: Perfect, yeah.

VAR: 2D line on the left boot.

Replay operator: Let me just switch angles.

VAR: Romero, I think it is?

Replay operator: I think it might be this angle [that is] better? Happy with this angle?

VAR: Yep.

Replay operator: 2D line on the boot?

VAR: 2D line on the left boot.

Replay operator: Yeah, okay.

Replay operator: So, 2D line on the boot.

VAR: And stop.

VAR: Check complete, check complete. That's fine, perfect.

Assistant referee 1: Playing.

Referee: Cheers, mate.

VAR: Thank you, mate.

Referee: Well done, boys. Good process.

Replay operator: Wait, wait, wait, wait. The on-field decision was offside.

Replay operator: Are you happy with this?

Assistant VAR: Yeah.

Replay operator: Are you happy with this?

Assistant VAR: Offside, goal, yeah.

Assistant VAR: That's wrong that, Daz.

VAR: What?

Replay operator: On-field decision was offside. Are you happy with this image? Yeah, it's onside, The image that we gave them is onside.

Assistant VAR: The left-back he's played him, he's gone offside.

VAR: Oh [expletive].

Replay operator: Delay, delay.

Replay operator: Oli's [PGMOL Hub Ops] saying to delay, Oli's saying to delay.

VAR: Pardon?

Replay operator: Oli's calling in to say delay the game. The decision is onside.

VAR: Can't do anything.

Replay operator: Oli's saying to delay, Oli's saying to delay.

VAR: Oli?

Fourth official: Yeah?

Replay operator: Delay the game, delay the game. Stop the game.

VAR Darren England: They've restarted the game. Can't do anything, can't do anything.

AVAR Dan Cook: Yeah, they've restarted. Yeah.

VAR Darren England: Can't do anything.

AVAR Dan Cook: No.

VAR Darren England: I can't do anything. I can't do anything. *Expletive*.

Written by sgynwa October 04 2023 08:21:38