The Video Assistant Referee was on the spot for the umpteenth time as Liverpool took on Tottenham

A Luis Diaz goal was disallowed after a miscommunication between the on-field referee and the VAR

We take a look at all the times the referee’s body has owned up to its mistakes in the Premier League

When the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was introduced to the English Premier League in 2019, many people assumed that the days of players getting away with bad mistakes or officials making bad judgments were over.
After all, the officials have access to video replays in order to make the proper judgments, so what could go wrong?

However, the complaints have remained vociferous in subsequent seasons, forcing the referee’s organization, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), to offer apologies to teams.
This calendar year alone, the body has admitted to seven errors – a sobering figure given that the technology was operating at peak efficiency but was let down by people in charge of interpretation.

The most recent occurred over the weekend, when a Luis Diaz goal against Tottenham Hotspur was incorrectly chalked out for offside. Liverpool responded forcefully, vowing to ‘examine the range of alternatives available.’

All VAR apologies since the start of last season Sports Brief looks at all the past occasions PGMOL has apologized following an obvious error in the usage of the VAR.

In addition to the incident at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sky Sports recorded 12 other confessions by the PGMOL in the past two seasons.

1. Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa – 20 August 2022
Crystal Palace were denied a penalty awarded to them by referee Andy Madley. Lucas Digne was in charge of thedecision.

Jarrod Bowen was deemed to have fouled goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before Maxwell Cornet scored, denying West Ham an equalizer.

3. Newcastle United 0 vs. Crystal Palace – September 3, 2022

Tyrick Mitchell threw the ball into his own net, denying Newcastle a possible winner. Joe Willock was accused of tripping goalie Vicente Guaita.

Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal – September 4, 2022

Mikel Arteta’s first loss of the 2022/2023 season, although it might have gone otherwise. After Martin Odegaard was accused of fouling Christian Eriksen, a Gabriel Martinelli goal was disallowed.

5. Fulham 3 Aston Villa 0 – 20 October 2022

Douglas Luiz was wrongfully dismissed after a fight with Aleksandr Mitrovic. The red card was eventually overturned, but it lost Steven Gerrard his job, which was taken over by Unai Emery.

6. Nottingham Forest 2 vs. Brentford – November 5, 2022

Dean Henderson was adjudicated to have taken down Yoane Wissa, but replays revealed that the goalkeeper made just minor touch with the Bees striker.

7. Aston Villa vs. Manchester United – November 6, 2022
Emery’s first appearance in the Premier League as Villa manager resulted in a convincing victory over Manchester United. Lucas Digne scored a stunning free kick, but replays revealed that United’s wall was not properly put up.