VAR officials have made just THREE clear mistakes this term – after 100 Prem games.
Going into the final weekend before the November international break, there have been 29 decisions overturned after the intervention of the Stockley Park video booth.
That has seen five goals awarded along with eight penalties.
Ten goals have been ruled out and four initially-awarded spot-kicks annulled.
There have been a swathe of conspiracy theories about fans and some clubs.
None more so than at Arsenal, where supporters have bemoaned the PGMOL’s referees of their “agenda” against the Gunners.
They cited the inconsistency from officials that led to red cards for Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba – while players from other teams seemingly got away with similar offences.
Add into the mix their frustrations following the 2-2 draw with Liverpool and they now have a full “laundry list” of examples – although their own manager Mikel Arteta debunked any suggestions of a conspiracy against his team.
Elsewhere, Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton is now suggesting he would vote to scrap VAR if there was another proposal on the table.
But PGMOL bosses believe the reality is that they are getting it right.
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The Prem’s “Key Match Incident” panel of former players, managers and refs has determined that a handful of on-field calls might have been incorrect but did NOT meet the threshold for VAR to intervene.
And that leaves just the three accepted mistakes – even if one of them directly contributed to the end of Erik ten Hag’s reign at Manchester United.
Refs’ chief Howard Webb is expected to confirm during next week’s new episode of the “Mic’d Up” review show that VAR Michael Oliver was wrong to recommend David Coote award an injury-time penalty for Matthijs de Ligt’s challenge on West Ham striker Danny Ings.
Jarrod Bowen converted the spot-kick – one of six successful penalties out of the eight awarded through VAR guidance – and Ten Hag got the boot the next day.
United were also on the receiving end of one of the other two errors, with the FA subsequently rescinding the red card received by Bruno Fernandes for his challenge on James Maddison during the 3-0 home defeat by Spurs.
The other mistake came in August, when Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara wrongly had a late “winner” against Newcastle ruled out for handball.
PGMOL insiders believe the change in emphasis to put greater weight on the “referee’s call” – requiring clear evidence that the on-field ruling was wrong – has improved consistency and acceptance of decisions.
Here are all the games that will be televised in December...
Tuesday 3 December
Wednesday 4 December
Thursday 5 December
Saturday 7 December
Sunday 8 December
Monday 9 December
Saturday 14 December
Sunday 15 December
Monday 16 December
Saturday 21 December
Sunday 22 December
Thursday 26 December
Friday 27 December
Sunday 29 December
Monday 30 December
