Controversial Audio Reveals VAR Drama in Liverpool vs. Spurs Clash

In a stunning revelation, the Premier League’s governing body for referees, PGMOL, has released audio recordings of the dramatic moments surrounding the disallowed goal of Liverpool’s Luis Diaz in their clash against Tottenham. This incident has sent shockwaves through the football world, igniting debates on the effectiveness and reliability of VAR technology.

The match, featuring two of the Premier League’s top teams, was locked in a goalless battle when Diaz believed he had put Liverpool ahead after 34 minutes. However, the joyous celebration was cut short as the flag went up for a potential offside against the Colombian sensation, right before he received a pass from his teammate Mohamed Salah.

Behind the scenes, the VAR team, led by Darren England, embarked on a painstaking review of the replays. The audio captures their dialogue, showcasing the intricate process of analyzing the incident. The tension was palpable as they scrutinized Diaz collecting the ball and the precise moment Salah released it.

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

Referee: Yeah, no worries mate.

Replay operator: So here we are.

Referee: Wait, OK.

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. Perfect yeah. 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 better? Happy with this angle?

VAR: Yep.

Replay operator: 2D line on the boot. Yep, okay.

VAR: And stop.

With a sense of finality, England informs the on-field referee, Simon Hooper, that the check is complete, indicating that the offside call stands. The match was to be restarted, leaving Diaz and Liverpool’s hopes dashed.

However, as fate would have it, the VAR team soon realized their grave error. The replay operator alerted England that Diaz was flagged offside, and Assistant VAR Cook concurred that they had made the wrong decision.

Replay operator: Wait, wait, wait, wait. The on-field decision was offside. Are you happy with this?

Assistant VAR: Yeah.

Replay operator: Are you happy with this?

Assistant VAR: Offside goal, yeah. That’s wrong, 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: He’s played him. He’s gone offside.

VAR: Oh [expletive].

The realization of the blunder dawns on them, but it’s too late. Play has already resumed, and there’s no turning back.

This dramatic episode has left football fans and pundits alike questioning the effectiveness of VAR in the beautiful game. Liverpool, in a statement, expressed their concern for “sporting integrity” and vowed to explore their options for resolution.

PGMOL admitted to a “significant human error” and outlined key learnings to prevent such mishaps in the future, including improved communication protocols between the referee and VAR team.

This VAR controversy serves as a reminder that even in the age of technology, football remains a game with its fair share of human drama and unpredictability. While VAR has brought more accuracy to decision-making, it’s not without its flaws, as evidenced in this high-stakes encounter. The footballing world will be watching closely to see how the sport’s authorities address these challenges and whether VAR can truly live up to its potential.

In the end, former footballer Pat Nevin aptly sums it up: “VAR works 99% of the time, but we don’t want to talk about that – we want to spend time talking about the times they have got it wrong.” Indeed, in this instance, they got it spectacularly wrong, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief.

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More about VAR Controversy

• Liverpool vs. Spurs: VAR Controversy
• Premier League VAR Protocol
• PGMOL Official Website
• The Impact of VAR in Football