Audio of the VAR discussion that led to Dominik Szoboszlai’s red card against Manchester City earlier this month has been released, but despite providing some clarification, it still raised pertinent questions for Liverpool fans.
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In stoppage time, with the visitors leading 2-1 at Anfield, Alisson Becker looked for an equalizer up front, but the ball was handed over and Rayan Cherki’s shot from inside the team’s half always crossed the goal line.
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However, while trying to prevent the ball from crossing the line, the Hungarian tugged at Erling Haaland’s shirt before the ball was returned. After a VAR review, the goal was disallowed and the Reds’ No. 8 player was sent off for rejecting a scoring opportunity (DOGSO).
Gary Neville was furious when watching the match live and thought the goal should have overturned a foul between Szoboszlai and Haaland, but Howard Webber explained why that action was not taken.
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Why was Szoboszlai sent off instead of scoring?
VAR audio of the red card incident was released on the latest episode of Premier League Official Mic’d Up (Sky Sports), and although on-field referee Craig Pawson initially took advantage and awarded a goal, Stockley Park’s John Brooks intervened.
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The VAR referee believed that Haaland pulled Szoboszlai’s shirt. back The advantage was already in play, the Liverpool midfielder was sent off for DOGSO and received a free kick outside the penalty area, and Cherki’s goal was wiped off the scoreboard.
When asked why the goal could not overturn the two fouls in between, Weber explained: “To referee at Premier League level you need to have a feel and understanding of the game. We try to apply common sense as much as possible but there are limits.
“The ball went into the goal because Erling Haaland pulled Szoboszlai so he could not clear, so we cannot allow the goal to stand for that reason.
“When Szoboszlai initially pulled Haaland, the referee tried to take advantage and he waited to see what would happen and if the ball went straight to the goal. It was a good advantage and we gave the goal but the ball just went into the goal because Haaland obviously fouled Szoboszlai.
“We can’t ignore that. So we can’t just allow an advantage because it was only due to Haaland’s action, so we have to go back to the original attack, which was Szoboszlai pulling Haaland. It was outside the penalty area and it took away a clear scoring opportunity, so a free kick was given and Szoboszlai was sent off.”
Latest VAR chaos raises more questions to answer
So Haaland received no penalty for his ‘free kick’ foul on Szoboszlai, while the Liverpool midfielder was simply sent off and given a one-match ban for his similar attack in the first place, while Cherki had a special goal disallowed due to common sense disallowance?
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What a load of crap. Talk about a result that didn’t suit anyone – even the Manchester City striker and Guardiola complained afterwards that they would have preferred the goal to stand and not be shown a red card.
Picture from Sky Sports
If Pawson had been given more permission to use common sense and stand by his original decision, which may not have been technically correct, it would have been more in line with the spirit of the game and another officiating controversy that Webber was trying to avoid would not have arisen.
Another question that needs to be answered is why was the VAR audio made public so long after the fact rather than played in real time? If TV commentators can hear the game as it’s happening, why can’t fans watching it at home?
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In rugby we hear the TMO discuss major events “live”, so why should it be different in 2026? Well, we may not necessarily agree with the officials’ decision-making process, but at least it will provide greater clarity and transparency.
Webb’s explanation may clarify why Szoboszlai was sent off against Manchester City, but it certainly won’t make us come away thinking “yeah, fair enough”. The latest PGMOL chaos raises pertinent questions about referees that demand the right answers.
