PGMOL have released the audio recording of the conversation between the match officials regarding the goal of Luis Diaz against Tottenham Hotspur that was wrongfully disallowed for offside.
Diaz thought he had scored the opener for Liverpool in the 33rd minute of proceedings, but his joy was short-lived after the on-field referee chalked off the goal for offside.
The decision to rule out that goal has been met with public scrutiny, particularly in a game of such magnitude.
Liverpool were angered by the call made by referee Simon Hooper, and losing the encounter against Spurs also made them more infuriated.
The Reds requested the audio recording of the conversation between the match officials involved in the decision and their demand has finally been granted by the Premier League.
Darren England, the Video Assistant Referee in charge of the game did not veto the offside decision made by referee Hopper in the 33rd minute of the clash.
The Englishman could be heard saying in the video that the review was “perfect” before swearing when he realized that a wrong call had been made.
After the game against Tottenham Hotspur, Jurgen Klopp’s side have continued to show their disgruntledness with that unfortunate error and they worded a statement in that regard.
Liverpool statement on the apology from PGMOL
In a statement released by the club on Sunday, October 1, 2023, Liverpool stated that they understand the pressures that match officials face.
However, these pressures are expected to be “alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR.”
The Reds also expressed that such mistakes, which have “been categorized as “significant human error” is also unacceptable.”
In conclusion, Liverpool revealed that they will “explore the range of options available given the clear need for escalation and resolution”.
PGMOL had in a statement initially claimed that the decision to chalk off Luis Diaz’s goal was “a significant human error”.
An excerpt of the statement released by PGMOL after the encounter on Saturday, September 30, 2023, read:
“PGMOL acknowledge a significant human error occurred. PGMOL will conduct a full review.”
“The goal by Luiz [sic] Diaz was disallowed for offside by the on-field team of match officials.
“This was a clear and obvious factual error and should have resulted in the goal being awarded through VAR intervention, however, the VAR failed to intervene.”
PGMOL also released a statement alongside the audio of the match officials on Luis Diaz goal
Meanwhile, alongside the audio recording released on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, PGMOL also released a statement detailing why the decision on Saturday, September 30, 2023, occurred the way it did.
A part of the statement reads: “In a lapse of concentration and loss of focus in that moment, the VAR lost sight of the on-field decision and he incorrectly communicated “check complete”, therefore inadvertently confirming the on-field decision.
“He did this without any dialogue with the Assistant VAR (AVAR). The match then restarted immediately.”
They also added that due to the Laws of the Game, VAR couldn’t call for the game to be halted as “play had restarted.”
Liverpool slipped to 4th on the Premier League table following the loss to Tottenham Hotspur, and they also lost their unbeaten status in the 2023/24 season.
The Reds entertain Union St.Gilloise in their second group game in the UEFA Europa League, before visiting the AMEX Stadium to play Brighton and Hove Albion.
The loss to Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs could have a damning effect on their potential challenge for the Premier League title, and this might be a notable moment to look back on at the end of the season, depending on how the season pans out.
Transcript of the audio recording between match officials regarding Luis Diaz goal
Below is the complete transcript of the discussions between the match officials in charge of the Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool game which ended 2-1.
VAR: Possible offside Diaz
Assistant Referee 1: Coming back for the offside mate
Assistant Referee 2: Give it
VAR: Just checking the offside. Delay, delay
VAR: Give the kick point, let’s go. Kick point, please
Referee: Yeah no worries mate
Replay operator: So here we are
Referee: Wait ok
Replay operator: Just get a tight angle
VAR: Yeah give me a 2D line ready after this one for frame two after that
Replay operator: So frame two there?
Video Assistant Referee: That’s fine
VAR: Perfect yeah
VAR: 2D line on left boot
Replay operator: Let me just switch angles
VAR: Romero I think it is?
Replay operator: I think it might be this angle better? Happy with this angle?
VAR: Yep
Replay operator: 2D line on the boot. Yep ok.
VAR: And stop.
VAR: Check complete, check complete. That’s fine, perfect (showing Diaz is clearly onside). Off.
Referee: Cheers mate
VAR: Thank you mate
Referee. Well done boys. Good process (game restarts with a free-kick)
Replay operator: Wait, wait, wait, wait. The on-field decision was offside. Are you happy with this?
Assistant VAR: Yeah
Replay operator: Are you happy with this?
Assistant VAR: Offside goal yeah. That’s wrong Daz.
VAR: What?
Replay operator: On-field decision was offside. Are you happy with this image? Yeah it’s onside. The image that we gave them is onside.
Assistant VAR: He’s played him. He’s gone offside.
VAR: Oh [expletive]
Replay operative: Delay delay. Oli [PGMOL Hub Ops] saying to delay. Oli’s saying to delay.
VAR: Pardon.
Replay operator: Oli’s calling in to say delay the game. The decision is onside
VAR: Can’t do anything
Replay operator: Oli’s saying to delay. Oli’s saying to delay
VAR: Oli?
Fourth official: Yeah
Fourth official: Yeah
Replay operative: Delay the game, to delay the game? Stop the game.
VAR: They’ve restarted the game
VAR: Can’t do anything, can’t do anything.
Assistant VAR: Yeah, they’ve restarted. Yeah
VAR: Can’t do anything.
Assistant VAR: no
VAR: I can’t do anything. I can’t do anything.
VAR: [expletive]
