Revealed: What VAR officials were REALLY looking at on a phone in the decision centre – after fans claimed they had spotted them ‘checking Fantasy Football mid-match’
Fans were convinced that VAR officials had been caught checking their Fantasy Football teams, but an expert has now revealed what was actually going on.
During Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool, an image began circulating on social media, leading fans to believe officials were checking their FPL (Fantasy Premier League) account.
A screenshot of Sky Sports’ coverage on Sunday was seen in the VAR Hub at Stockley Park – with a mobile phone with the Premier League logo in the corner.
Many believed, due to the color scheme and layout of the app, that it was the official Fantasy Football app of the Premier League, but the truth has now been revealed.
According to ESPN expert Dale Johnsonit was another app – used to record match details and for communication during match days – that was noticed.
A screenshot of Sky Sports’ coverage on Sunday went viral as seen in the VAR Hub
Fans were convinced that VAR officials had been caught checking their Fantasy Football teams
Take to XJohnson wrote: ‘This is the Premier League Match Manager app, not Fantasy Premier League.
‘There are obviously no personal devices in the VAR Hub.’
There was a lot of drama at Arsenal throughout the match fans are convinced that Virgil van Dijk should have been sent away during Sunday 2-2 draw.
In the sixth minute, with the match still tied at 0–0, Van Dijk collected the ball from Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher before passing it to Andy Robertson.
After the ball was gone, Van Dijk pushed Havertz away with his right hand. The former Southampton defender then appeared to aggressively and deliberately thrust his left leg into the Arsenal striker.
Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a free kick, but did not card Van Dijk.
However, it was later explained that it was the Premier League Manager app instead
The image went viral on Sunday afternoon during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against title rivals Liverpool
Commenting on Van Dijk’s foul, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said: ‘He was stupid, Van Dijk. He just got into a little battle and kind of turned on him.”
Watching a replay, Neville added: “A little elbow and then that. Oh yeah, he kicks him too. Crazy. He doesn’t really have to do it.’
On X (formerly Twitter) someone wrote: ‘How the hell did Van Dijk get away with that???? Not even a yellow card for hitting and kicking someone who is not on the ball????’.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s incident emerged as the latest VAR conspiracy after fans were convinced Howard Webb influenced William Saliba’s red card during Arsenal’s defeat at Bournemouth.
Arsenal fans felt VAR should have intervened for Virgil van Dijk’s challenge against Kai Havertz
Last week, the Frenchman was sent off in the first half for denying a clear scoring opportunity after pulling on Evanilson just before the halfway line.
Saliba was initially shown a yellow card for the foul, but the decision was overturned after referee Rob Jones was recommended to conduct a pitch review.
Sky cameras showed Webb, who was sitting in the stands, using his phone and an earpiece while VAR reviewed the incident.
However, PGMOL says the referee’s chief listened to communications between the referees and was not involved in the decision to send Saliba off. Times.
