Two VAR officials involved in the dismal error that led to Luis Diaz’s goal being canceled for offside during Liverpool’s game against Tottenham Hotspur have been replaced for subsequent matches.
PGMOL have confirmed that referee Darren England and Dan Cook have been replaced for the Fulham versus Chelsea game, and Nottingham Forest against Brentford.
England was handed the responsibility to lead VAR duties for the match, while Dan Cook was made his assistant.
It is understood that the decision to cancel what could have been a pivotal goal was due to a miscommunication between on-field officials and VAR officials.
PGMOL have replaced two VAR officials for error in the game involving Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) revealed their decision to drop these officials from forthcoming matches in a statement which reads:
“Darren England and Dan Cook have been replaced for the Nottingham Forest v Brentford and Fulham v Chelsea matches.
The administrative refereeing body also shared the names of the officials who would replace Darren England and Dan Cook.
Craig Pawson replaced England as the fourth official for the game involving Nottingham Forest and Brentford, while Eddie Smart will replace Cook as assistant referee for the game at Craven Cottage.
Briefly after the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, PGMOL “acknowledged” that Diaz’s goal against Spurs was wrongfully disallowed for offside.
PGMOL admit error in disallowing Luis Diaz’s goal for offside
They worded a lengthy statement in that regard, and it reads:
“PGMOL acknowledge a significant human error occurred during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool,’ the statement began.
“The goal but Luis 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.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) also added that they would be reaching out to Liverpool at the expiration of the game to “acknowledge the error.”
Following the statement shared by PGMOL, Jurgen Klopp expressed in a presser that it was of no effect, and as such it isn’t helpful to their course.
The German tactician said: “Does that help? No. We had that situation at the Man United game (against Wolves last month) – did they get points for that? No. We will not get points for it today so it doesn’t help.”
Following the loss at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, Liverpool slumped to 4th on the Premier League table, and they also lost their unbeaten start to the season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side visit the Amex stadium to trade tackles with Brighton and Hove Albion next in the English Premier League on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
However, before the encounter against the Seagulls, Liverpool welcome Union St. Gilloise in their second group affair in the UEFA Champions League on October 5, 2023.
