PGMOL issue statement and make VAR admission after Premier League controversies

12 February 2023 , 15:02

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Ivan Toney scored a controversial late equaliser for Brentford against Arsenal (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The PGMOL have confirmed that they're "thoroughly reviewing" the offside incidents involving Arsenal and Brighton, who've already been contacted by Howard Webb.

Both clubs were left furious after drawing their games, against Brentford and Crystal Palace respectively, 1-1 this Saturday. While Brighton had Pervis Estupinan's well-taken goal at Palace incorrectly ruled out due "human error," title-chasing Arsenal conceded a controversial late equaliser which stunted their Premier League title charge.

After Gunners boss Mikel Arteta questioned the decision following his side's 1-1 draw, it emerged that video assistant referee Lee Mason had forgotten to draw the offside lines which would've resulted in the goal being chalked off. As Arsenal fans vented their fury on Sunday, the PGMOL - the body responsible for match officials in English professional football - released a statement.

"PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday," it read. "Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL."

Webb became the PGMOL's first chief refereeing officer in January, with one of his tasks to improve relations between referees and clubs. It was only on Monday when the former Premier League referee said: "Officials like using VAR, it gives them that comfort of knowing they're not going to make those errors that they're going to have to live with for the next few days."

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Unfortunately, both Arsenal and Brighton could rue those decisions as the boiling point of the season approaches. The Seagulls drew 1-1 away to rivals Palace at Selhurst Park, having conceded a late equaliser of their own after Solly March's goal had put them in front on 63 minutes.

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Pervis Estupinan's goal for Brighton was incorrectly ruled out, the PGMOL have admitted (Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

But Brighton should've been ahead much earlier, with Estupinan seeing his goal wrongly pulled out. "As was confirmed to the club by PGMOL last night, a serious error was made in disallowing Pervis Estupinan’s goal at Crystal Palace yesterday," a statement from the Seagulls read on Sunday.

"The lines drawn in the VAR room to determine whether Pervis was in an offside position were drawn incorrectly, and the goal should have stood. While hugely disappointed by the error, the club has accepted PGMOL's apology and will not be making any further comment."

Meanwhile, Arsenal are left hoping that title rivals Manchester City don't take advantage of their latest slip-up, having lost 1-0 at strugglers Everton last weekend. Manager Arteta pointed out after the draw with Brentford: "I've just looked at it back, and it is offside. You cannot block if you are offside, but it's irrelevant, it's gone."

Nathan Ridley