The VAR in the Premier League: Weekly Analysis of Controversial Decisions
Every week, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) generates controversy in the Premier League. At Alofoke Deportes, we analyze the key decisions of each matchday, examining the VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game to offer a clear and professional perspective.
In this edition, we explore several incidents: Why didn’t Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings receive a red card, while Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson was sent off? Should Matheus Cunha have been sent off? And should Brentford have been awarded multiple penalties against Ipswich Town?
Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
Possible Red Card: Jackson’s foul play
In the 33rd minute, Robert Sánchez of Chelsea launched a long ball. Nicolas Jackson, while contesting the ball with Newcastle United’s Sven Botman, impacted the defender. The referee showed a yellow card, but VAR, Darren England, reviewed the play for a possible red card.
VAR Decision: Red card.
VAR Analysis: Jackson’s expulsion generated debate, especially when compared to Tyrone Mings’ action from Aston Villa, who avoided a red card after impacting Alex Scott from AFC Bournemouth. Although similar, the circumstances differ. Jackson, while disputing the ball, directed his elbow towards Botman, a clear case of dangerous play.
In contrast, Mings, when trying to protect the ball, performed a normal football action. The key difference lies in the intention and the force applied in the action.
Verdict: Each incident is evaluated individually. Disciplinary actions do not have to be identical in similar situations.
Fulham 1-3 Everton
Possible Penalty: Mykolenko’s handball
In the 7th minute of added time, Fulham’s Adama Traoré attempted a cross which was blocked by Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko. The referee signaled a corner kick, but VAR, Michael Salisbury, recommended reviewing the play for a possible handball penalty.
VAR Decision: Penalty not awarded after review.
VAR Analysis: In the Premier League, hand penalties are infrequent. The VAR decision may have been influenced by Mykolenko’s high arm position before the impact. However, the arm was in a justifiable position due to the player’s movement, which led to the final decision.
Verdict: The referee upheld his initial decision.
Ipswich 0-1 Brentford
Possible Penalty: Greaves’ foul on Van den Berg
In the 16th minute, Brentford won a corner. Before Bryan Mbeumo took the kick, Sepp van den Berg fell after a foul by Jacob Greaves. The referee stopped the game to retake the corner and VAR reviewed for a possible penalty.
VAR Decision: No penalty.
VAR Analysis: No penalty was awarded because the ball was not in play when the foul occurred, which prevents the sanction. Referee Barrott could have cautioned Greaves for his hard tackle.
Verdict: Greaves was lucky, as the foul was before the ball was in play.
Possible Penalty: Foul by Tuanzebe on Collins
In the 66th minute, Brentford took a throw-in that ended with Nathan Collins appealing for a penalty. The referee did not award it and VAR reviewed the play.
VAR Decision: No penalty.
VAR Analysis: Post-match analysis revealed that the mutual hold between Tuanzebe and Collins was key to the decision. However, after this hold, Tuanzebe apparently grabbed Collins by the waist, which warranted a penalty.
Verdict: A penalty should have been called for Tuanzebe’s subsequent action.
Wolves 0-2 Brighton
Possible Offside: Minteh on Welbeck’s goal
In the 23rd minute, Danny Welbeck scored, but the assistant referee signaled offside for Yankuba Minteh.
VAR Decision: Goal not awarded.
VAR Analysis: Minteh interfered with the play, affecting goalkeeper José Sá.
Verdict: Correct decision on the field, confirmed by VAR.
Possible Red Card: DOGSO by Cunha
In the 27th minute, Brighton had a penalty. Matheus Cunha was brought down by Mats Wieffer. The referee signaled a penalty and cautioned Cunha. VAR reviewed the play for a possible red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
VAR Decision: No red card.
VAR Analysis: The law on DOGSO has been relaxed in recent years. It is considered that the player must be cautioned if he attempts to play the ball. Cunha was cautioned, as it was considered that he tried to play the ball.
Verdict: Cunha was cautioned, as he did not prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Possible Foul: Konaté’s foul on Lewis-Skelly
Liverpool thought they had scored the winning goal, but the referee disallowed the goal for a foul by Ibrahima Konaté on Myles Lewis-Skelly.
VAR Decision: Goal not awarded.
VAR Analysis: Konaté committed a foul by putting his hand on the Arsenal player’s face.
Verdict: The goal was correctly disallowed.
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester
Possible Goal Disallowed: Thomas’s illegal throw-in
Leicester City took the lead thanks to a throw-in, but Nottingham Forest fans protested the position of Luke Thomas.
VAR Decision: No intervention.
Verdict: The throw-in was legal.
