>
‘Disappointed’ Premier League says its referees ‘fell below expectations’ in damning statement after last weekend’s matches were marred by huge VAR errors… with blundering duo Lee Mason and John Brooks, both retired from service by Howard Webb
The Premier League has hit PGMOL after a weekend of major VAR errors.
The most recent round of high-level matches had several high-profile miscues, drawing widespread criticism from fans, pundits, and coaches.
In an official statement, the Premier League said: “The Premier League sets high standards and is disappointed that PGMOL fell short of those expectations last weekend.”
“As a result, the Premier League requested that PGMOL review and explain a number of incidents from the latest round of matches.
“Following discussions with PGMOL and yesterday’s Select Group One review meeting, we support PGMOL’s views on how to address these issues to improve future performance.”
The Premier League has hit PGMOL after a weekend of high-profile refereeing mistakes
Lee Mason (left) and John Brooks (right) made significant errors while working as VARs
Arsenal, Brighton and Chelsea were the sides notably affected by the bugs, with bug duo Lee Mason and John Brooks put out of commission by PGMOL boss Howard Webb.
The pair took part in a video workshop led by Webb on Tuesday to ensure there is no repeat of the howlers that hit Arsenal and Brighton.
In the title-chasing Gunners’ 1–1 draw against Brentford, Ivan Toney’s equalizing goal was mistakenly held up despite two offsides in the build-up to the goal.
VAR officer Mason was unable to draw the correct lines in ruling out Bees striker Toney’s late leveller, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta furious afterwards.
PGMOL, the elite group of referees, has apologized saying sports mail on Tuesday night: ‘We accept that mistakes were made…however, we are encouraged by the way our officials have responded and are confident they will carry forward the learnings.’
Arteta replied: ‘I’ll only be satisfied if they give me back the two points. I appreciate the sincere and genuine apologies, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that we’re down two points. Everyone makes mistakes, but that was something else.
“There was a lot of anger and disappointment because that wasn’t human error, it was a huge misunderstanding of your work.” That is not acceptable, sorry. It cost Arsenal two points, we have to find those two points elsewhere in the league.”
At Selhurst Park, Brighton were denied a goal against fierce rivals Crystal Palace when Pervis Estupinan’s goal was incorrectly ruled offside.
VAR Mason ruled two offsides in the build-up to Ivan Toney’s late equalizer against Arsenal
Gunnery chief Mikel Arteta (right) furiously criticized Mason in the wake of his significant mistake
Mason and Brooks were temporarily removed from service by PGMOL chief Howard Webb (above)
Brooks, working as VAR, drew the wrong defender’s offside line; had he created the line for the correct defender, the goal would have stood.
He also refused to update the Seagulls midfielder’s poor challenge on Cheick Doucoure seven minutes later, receiving a yellow card, to a red despite his studs digging into Doucoure’s shin.
Meanwhile, at Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against West Ham in London, referee Craig Pawson was not informed by VAR Neil Swarbrick that he had missed a potential penalty for Tomas Soucek’s handball inside the penalty area.
As a result of the errors, Webb summoned all the officials to an emergency meeting to prevent such errors from happening again.