In two games this weekend that were decided by officiating calls, title challengers Arsenal and Tottenham both lost, mirroring Liverpool’s recent struggles. A scenario in which those clubs alleged they suffered direct injury and which has sparked concerns about a system that led to Liverpool’s loss to Spurs on matchday seven.
The referees’ performance this weekend was deemed “absolutely disgraceful” by Mikel Arteta, who was forthright in his assessment. Following fouls by Joelinton and Joe Willock, when the ball might have crossed the end line, the officials awarded Anthony Gordon’s goal. “I have a responsibility to do all in my power to protect my players, my team, and my people. “I’ll do this repeatedly and I back it up with proof,” Arteta declared. The media chastised the Spaniard for his remarks after he had reversed course and praised the officials during the VAR blunder involving Liverpool. “They are trying to make the best decisions,” he stated.
Ange Postecoglou criticised the video refereeing decisions with more tact. He accepted the two send-offs first. “You can choose to accept or reject decisions as they are made. A forensic analysis of each decision will be conducted if we continue to lament poor choices every week, even when some of them are self-inflicted.” He did, however, mention VAR as a negative aspect of officiating. “What will happen in the game is this steady eroding of the referees’ authority. They won’t have any power, it will be reduced, and we’ll be in the hands of someone staring at a TV screen from a few miles away,” he said to Sky Sports.
Is Carragher included in the VAR?
Rumour has it that the VAR is now examining footage with live TV commentary, according to the X Indykaila News account. If this is the case, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville will truly have influence over judgements like the Chelsea penalty.
