Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool: ‘VAR error undermined sporting integrity’ – Reds - Newstrends
Connect with us

Sports

Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool: ‘VAR error undermined sporting integrity’ – Reds

Published

3 years ago

on

Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool: ‘VAR error undermined sporting integrity’ – Reds

VAR failed to overturn an incorrect decision to disallow a Luis Diaz goal for offside with the match goalless.

In a statement on Sunday, the club said they will “explore the range of options available given the clear need for escalation and resolution”.

The VAR officials were stood down from duty for the rest of the weekend.

PGMOL, the governing body for referees, has said the decision to disallow the goal was “a significant human error”.

Liverpool say that explanation is “unacceptable” and called for a “review with full transparency”.

PGMOL admitted that VAR official Darren England and assistant Dan Cook failed to act after Diaz’s 34th-minute strike at Tottenham was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Still images of the incident showed Tottenham defender Cristian Romero playing Diaz onside.

The disallowed goal came when the match was level but with the Reds down to 10 men after Curtis Jones had been controversially sent off following England’s intervention.

BBC Sport understands the correct procedure was followed for the offside decision but the mistake was down to human error.

The lines were drawn in accordance with normal procedure and every other aspect was checked.

READ ALSO:

However, what is being described by sources as a lapse of concentration led to a loss of focus around the initial on-field decision and then a ‘check complete’ being confirmed rather than an intervention that would have resulted in the goal being awarded.

It is understood that referees’ chief Howard Webb has spoken to Liverpool about the incident.

In a statement the PGMOL added: “The goal by 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.”

Speaking after the match, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said his side’s defeat came in “the most unfair circumstances” with “crazy decisions”.

Klopp also said the PGMOL statement “doesn’t help” and referenced the apology Wolves received for the decision not to award a penalty at Manchester United earlier in the season.

England was replaced as the fourth official for Sunday’s Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Brentford, while Cook was replaced as assistant referee for the game between Fulham and Chelsea on Monday.

Liverpool then published a statement later on Sunday saying: “Liverpool acknowledges PGMOL’s admission of their failures last night. It is clear that the correct application of the laws of the game did not occur, resulting in sporting integrity being undermined.

“We fully accept the pressures that match officials work under but these pressures are supposed to be alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR.

“It is therefore unsatisfactory that sufficient time was not afforded to allow the correct decision to be made and that there was no subsequent intervention.

“That such failings have already been categorised as ‘significant human error’ is also unacceptable. Any and all outcomes should be established only by the review and with full transparency.

READ ALSO:

“This is vital for the reliability of future decision making as it applies to all clubs with learnings being used to make improvements to processes in order to ensure this kind of situation cannot occur again.

“In the meantime, we will explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution.”

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville has called Liverpool’s statement a “mistake”.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “Jurgen Klopp handled the situation well last night after the game. Most football fans will have had empathy with what happened and recognised it was wrong!

“However Liverpool’s statement tonight is a mistake! Talk of exploring all options (what does that mean!) and sporting integrity are dangerous phrases along with being vague and aggressive.”

Cook, England and Michael Oliver, who was the fourth official at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, were also part of a match officiating team who took charge of a league game in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

The Football Association had approved the trip and the trio arrived in London on Friday to prepare for Saturday’s game.

It is understood that Liverpool also want this looked at as part of PGMOL’s review.

The Reds also had forward Diogo Jota sent off as well Jones – both decisions which Klopp disagreed with – and lost to a stoppage-time Joel Matip own goal.

Klopp added: “If you want to change, you have to do [it] without our voice. If we say something, we get fined. They didn’t do it on purpose but if we want to talk about it, do it properly.”

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said he was losing faith in VAR after Saturday’s costly officiating blunder.

Former England striker Alan Shearer, who also agreed Jones’ red card was harsh, described VAR’s error as “incomprehensible” on Saturday’s BBC Match of the Day.

He said: “A horrendous day for the officials and VAR. We have seen some howlers but that is the biggest. Trust is going to be a big thing going forward.”

Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool: ‘VAR error undermined sporting integrity’ – Reds

Loading

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Sports

Ronaldo Included in Portugal’s Nations League Squad as Jorge Jesus Begins New Era

Published

17 hours ago

on

September 19, 2026

By

Ronaldo Included in Portugal’s Nations League Squad as Jorge Jesus Begins New Era

Ronaldo Included in Portugal’s Nations League Squad as Jorge Jesus Begins New Era

Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Portugal’s 25-man squad for the opening fixtures of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League, ending immediate uncertainty over the 41-year-old captain’s continued involvement with the national team.

New Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus named Ronaldo in his first squad on Friday, September 18, as the reigning Nations League champions prepare for four Group A4 matches between September 24 and October 4.

Ronaldo’s selection comes less than three months after the veteran forward confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament.

He has also fuelled wider retirement speculation after saying in August that the coming year would probably be the final season of his professional football career.

However, Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from international football, and his inclusion in Jesus’ first squad confirms that he remains available for Portugal.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains the leading scorer in men’s international football, with 146 goals in 233 appearances for Portugal.

His international career has included victory at Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025.

Ronaldo was unable to add the FIFA World Cup trophy to his collection after Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the round of 16 at the 2026 tournament.

The defeat brought his World Cup career to an end after six appearances at the global tournament, but did not immediately mark the end of his Portugal career.

READ ALSO:

Jesus, who was appointed after Roberto Martinez left the post following Portugal’s World Cup exit, has a previous working relationship with Ronaldo.

The 72-year-old coach managed Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where they won the Saudi Pro League title during the 2025/26 season.

Jesus, however, has made it clear that Ronaldo’s reputation will not guarantee him a starting place in the new Portugal team.

Discussing the veteran forward’s selection, the coach said performance would determine his decisions.

Jesus said Ronaldo would be treated like the other players when it came to selection, although he acknowledged that the Portugal captain has a different status because of his achievements.

The new coach’s comments underline his intention to maintain competition for places as he begins rebuilding the national team following the World Cup.

Jesus has retained most of the players who featured at the 2026 World Cup, with only a small number of changes to the squad.

Among the players returning to the national team are Joao Palhinha, Nuno Tavares and Fabio Silva, while Benfica goalkeeper Samuel Soares has also been included.

The squad features several of Portugal’s established stars, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leao and Pedro Neto.

Ronaldo is joined in the forward line by Fabio Silva, Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Rafael Leao.

Portugal will begin the new Nations League campaign at home against Wales on September 24 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.

Jesus will then take his team to Oslo to face Norway on September 27 before Portugal travel to Copenhagen for a meeting with Denmark on October 1.

The four-match sequence will conclude with Portugal hosting Norway at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto on October 4.

The fixtures will provide Jesus with his first competitive tests since replacing Martinez and give him an opportunity to assess his squad ahead of the next phase of Portugal’s international programme.

Portugal enter the competition as the defending UEFA Nations League champions, having defeated Spain on penalties in the 2025 final to win the tournament for the second time.

The team’s previous Nations League triumph came in 2019, when Portugal defeated the Netherlands in the final.

Ronaldo’s selection also keeps alive the possibility of the veteran playing a role in Portugal’s preparations for future competitions, although his long-term international plans remain unclear.

The next major European international tournament will be Euro 2028, by which time Ronaldo will be 43.

For now, however, his immediate focus is the Nations League and the start of the Jorge Jesus era.

Ronaldo is also approaching another major personal milestone.

He has scored 979 official career goals for club and country, leaving him 21 goals short of the 1,000-goal mark.

Jesus was asked about the possibility of Ronaldo reaching the milestone with Portugal but suggested that he expected the forward to achieve it at club level rather than with the national team.

The comment adds another dimension to the relationship between the coach and Portugal’s most prolific international scorer.

Despite Ronaldo’s advancing age and retirement comments, his continued selection means he remains part of Portugal’s plans at the start of the new international cycle.

Jesus has nevertheless stressed that past achievements will not determine who plays, placing the emphasis on current performances.

Portugal’s first test under the new manager will therefore attract considerable attention, with Ronaldo expected to remain one of the central figures as the European champions begin their 2026/27 Nations League defence.

Portugal’s 25-Man Nations League Squad

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Rui Silva, Samuel Soares.

Defenders: Goncalo Inacio, Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Tavares, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, Tomas Araujo.

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Joao Palhinha, Joao Neves, Ruben Neves, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva.

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabio Silva, Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leao.

Ronaldo Included in Portugal’s Nations League Squad as Jorge Jesus Begins New Era

Loading

Continue Reading

International

Asian Games Organisers Apologise After Blunder Broadcasts North Korean Anthem for South Korea

Published

1 day ago

on

September 18, 2026

By

Asian Games Organisers Apologise After Blunder Broadcasts North Korean Anthem for South Korea

A mistaken stadium audio track following South Korea’s 5-0 hockey win over Bangladesh triggers protests amid wider logistical issues in Japan.

Organisers of the Asian Games in Japan issued a formal apology on Friday after mistakenly playing the North Korean national anthem for South Korea’s men’s hockey team.

The embarrassing mix-up occurred shortly after South Korea secured a commanding 5-0 victory over Bangladesh, leaving players standing perplexed on the pitch as the wrong national anthem echoed through the stadium speakers.

Following the initial blunder, venue operators played the national anthem of Bangladesh before finally broadcasting South Korea’s proper anthem, prompting a stadium announcer to issue an immediate apology over the public address system.

However, South Korea coach Min Tae-seok condemned the oversight as an inexcusable operational failure. Min stated that while tournament officials blamed an individual operator for selecting the wrong audio file, an international competition must never tolerate errors of such sensitive political magnitude.

Furthermore, the anthem blunder compounds wider operational difficulties facing Japanese host venues ahead of Saturday’s official opening ceremony. Several delegations have voiced strong frustration over logistical arrangements, with visiting teams reporting airport delays lasting up to six hours.

In addition, members of South Korea’s basketball squad published videos showing water pouring from broken pipes into their athlete village rooms, intensifying pressure on local organisers to resolve village infrastructure and technical coordination before mainstream competitions begin.

Asian Games Organisers Apologise After Blunder Broadcasts North Korean Anthem for South Korea

Loading

Continue Reading

Sports

Osimhen Is ‘One of the Best Strikers in the World’ – Terim

Published

1 day ago

on

September 18, 2026

By

Osimhen Is ‘One of the Best Strikers in the World’ – Terim

Victor Osimhen has received another major endorsement after former Galatasaray boss Fatih Terim described him as one of the best strikers in world football.

Terim said Osimhen’s combination of strength, finishing ability and movement makes him a difficult player for defenders to contain.

He particularly pointed to the striker’s ability to punish opponents immediately when they make mistakes.

“Even when there’s no scoring opportunity, he can score goals” Terim said. “He’s a striker who earns his own living the hard way.”

Terim, however, identified one area Osimhen needs to manage, advising the Nigerian to avoid unnecessary emotional reactions and psychological tension during matches.

Six Goals Before Injury

Osimhen had already made an impressive start to the new campaign before injury interrupted his run.

He recorded six goals and two assists across four Süper Lig appearances for Galatasaray.

His latest goal came in Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Istanbul Basaksehir, although he was forced off in the 33rd minute with a groin problem. The club later confirmed a strain in his right adductor muscle.

He has nevertheless been included in Nigeria’s squad for the opening 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Osimhen Is ‘One of the Best Strikers in the World’ – Terim

Loading

Continue Reading

Trending