PGMOL releases VAR audio of Liverpool’s controversial defeat to Tottenham, with Luis Diaz’s goal wrongly ruled out for offside

The PGMOL has released the full audio from the VAR hub during Liverpool’s controversial 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.

During the match, Liverpool striker Luis Diaz was awarded a goal that was wrongly ruled for offside, with the refereeing body immediately apologizing to Jurgen Klopp’s side after the match and admitting that ‘significant human error had occurred’ when the goal from the Colombian was rejected.

The incident was a major talking point during last weekend’s Premier League action, with Liverpool subsequently ‘demanding escalation and resolution of the matter’, releasing a strongly worded statement following the PGMOL admission.

The Reds had also asked to hear the audio and the PGMOL has now released the full recording of the match.

They also provided some information to go along with the footage, writing: ‘PGMOL has conducted an investigation into the circumstances that led to this incorrect outcome and subsequent lessons will be implemented to reduce the risk of errors in the future.’

VAR official Darren England (left) and VAR assistant Dan Cook (right) were dropped from their roles for upcoming matches after the high-profile error

Liverpool have made a formal request to receive the VAR audio of the decision to disallow Luis Diaz’s goal for offside against Tottenham

The footage shows the team checking the footage and measuring Diaz’s goal before the VAR operator, upon reviewing the footage, says: ‘Check complete, check complete, it’s fine.’

After the referee waves the game, the replay operator can be heard on the footage saying, “Are you happy with this?”

The assistant VAR then responds with: ‘Offside, goal, yes. That’s wrong, Diaz.’

The replay operator then says: ‘The field decision was offside, are you happy with this image? Yes, it’s on the side. The image we gave them is on the side.”

Assistant VAR: ‘He played it, he’s offside.’

VAR: ‘Oh f***.’

Replay operator: ‘Delay delay. Oli says we have to postpone. Oli says we have to postpone.’

VAR: ‘Excuse me?’

Replay operator: ‘Oli is calling to say we have to hand out the game. The decision is onside.’

VAR: ‘I can’t do anything.’

Replay operator: ‘Oli says he has to postpone. Oli says we have to postpone.’

VAR: ‘Oli?’

Fourth official: ‘Yes.’

Replay operator: ‘Postpone the game, stop the game.’

VAR: ‘They restarted the game. I can not do anything. I can not do anything.

Assistant VAR: ‘Yes, they started again. Yes.’

Along with the images, the PGMOL released the following statement.

They wrote: ‘PGMOL can confirm that we have conducted an investigation into the circumstances that led to Luis Diaz’s goal being wrongly disallowed for offside in the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC.

‘We recognize that standards did not meet expectations and acknowledged Liverpool’s mistake immediately after the match.

The Reds – led by Jurgen Klopp – were furious after the controversial match and vowed to explore available options

‘A detailed report, including key learnings and immediate actions taken, together with the audio between the on-pitch referees and the VAR team, has been submitted to the Premier League, which has shared it with Liverpool FC and subsequently with all others Premier League clubs.

‘The review of the on-field decision-making processes and VAR and the application of the decision-making principles has identified the following key lessons to limit the risk of a future error:

– Guidance for video match officials has always emphasized the need for efficiency, but never at the expense of accuracy. This principle will be clearly reiterated. A new VAR communication protocol will be developed to improve the clarity of communication between the referee and the VAR team regarding on-field decisions. As an additional step in the process, the VAR will confirm the outcome. of the VAR review process at the AVAR before confirming the final decision to the field officials

‘PGMOL aims to improve VAR performance through a new training program launched this season, focusing on processes and best practices for all VARs, AVARs and Replay Operators in their specific roles. While we have a number of FIFA recognized VARs, work is underway to create a dedicated pool of VAR specialists.

‘The VAR and AVAR in question have been removed from their remaining matches in Matchday 7 in the Premier League and are not included in the arrangements for Matchday 8 this weekend.

‘PGMOL and the FA have also agreed to review the policy to allow match officials to officiate matches outside FIFA or UEFA arrangements.’

More to follow…