The Premier League has asked referees’ body PGMOL to look into the VAR incidents at Chelsea and Newcastle on Saturday.
The day was marked by a series of decisions that were either overturned thanks to VAR intervention or not awarded despite the presence of the review system, infuriating many team managers who could not contain their emotions after the match.
The Premier League has now called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding key decisions at Stamford Bridge and St James’ Park.
In west London, West Ham were denied a late equalizer when Maxwell Cornet’s goal was ruled out after a VAR review ruled Jarrod Bowen had fouled Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the build-up.
Hammers midfielder Declan Rice later called it “one of the worst VAR decisions since he came into the game”.
Meanwhile, in the North East, Newcastle had what would have been a winning goal disallowed for a foul by Joe Willock on Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita – despite Tyrick Mitchell pushing Willock into Guaita.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: “It was a very good goal in my opinion.”
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The Saturday Football panel were baffled by a number of VAR decisions in the Premier League on Saturday.
Other incidents on Saturday included:
- Leeds were not awarded a penalty for a tackle on Crysencio Summerville by Aaron Hickey in their defeat at Brentford.
- Philippe Coutinho’s goal against Manchester City was disallowed after the assistant referee wrongly flagged for offside, with VAR unable to overturn the decision after the whistle was blown before the ball went in.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Chelsea’s win against West Ham in the Premier League.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Newcastle’s Premier League draw with Crystal Palace.
There have been other flashpoints during the early weeks of the season.
Chelsea were the victims of an incorrect call last month, with Mike Dean – who was on VAR duty at the time – later admitting he should have advised a red card on Spurs defender Cristian Romero after he pulled Marc’s hair Cucurella in a corner.
Dean claimed in a newspaper column that he only had “a few seconds” to review the incident, despite taking more than a minute to decide that Romero had no reason to respond.
Antonio Conte was left baffled by VAR decisions that went against his side against Nottingham Forest and West Ham, with the Spurs boss questioning whether the Premier League should get rid of the system entirely as “no one is happy” with to.
Premier League to voice concerns at usual weekly VAR review
Key match incidents from every Premier League game are reviewed each week as part of a newly formed independent panel. The process has started this season.
The panel includes a representative from PGMOL and the Premier League, as well as three former players.
The results are then shared with the clubs for transparency.
The Premier League has been unimpressed with the VAR controversy this weekend and will share those concerns in this week’s review.
Moyes: I’ve lost faith in VAR
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David Moyes says it was a scandalous decision to rule out his side’s late equalizer against Chelsea, while Thomas Tuchel believes it was a clear foul on the goalkeeper.
West Ham manager David Moyes was scathing in his assessment of VAR Jarred Gillett for his decision to advise referee Andy Madley to go to the screen to take another look at Cornet’s equaliser.
The goalkeeper comes to get it and takes it out of his hands,” said Moyes. “Then he acted like it was a shoulder injury. I’m surprised VAR sent the referee to the screen.
“When I saw it I thought, ‘Even if it goes on TV, there’s no way it’s going to overturn this.’ It was a ridiculously bad decision.
“I think I question VAR today as much as the referee. The referee should have stuck to his guns and been big enough to do what he said.
“I had the chance to watch three or four corners, which they have, so there is no excuse for VAR. Today there is no excuse for him not to be a goal, none.
“The sad thing is that this is the level of our elite refereeing at the moment. The goalkeeper tried to do the same with the first goal, he tried to fake an injury for the first goal as well.
“They have new people in charge. I’ve lost faith in them today.”
