VAR Review: Havertz’s Goal, Jesus’ Penalty, and Romero’s Red Card

jamal hejaze11/12/2023

1 minute read

The VAR Review: Havertz goal, Jesus penalty, Romero red

There is no denying that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been a major point of contention in the Premier League for years. It has sparked countless debates and discussions regarding the accuracy and fairness of its decisions. In this week’s VAR Review, we will take a deep dive into the major incidents from the previous weekend, shedding light on the VAR protocol, as well as the laws of the game, to provide a comprehensive understanding of how decisions are made and whether they are indeed correct.

Sport News: Premier League VAR Controversy

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) continues to cause controversy in the Premier League, with decisions affecting every Prem club in the 2023-24 season. After each weekend, major incidents are reviewed and decisions are examined to explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.

In the latest VAR Review, controversy surrounds Kai Havertz’s disallowed goal for Arsenal at Aston Villa, as well as Gabriel Jesus’ penalty claim in the game against Crystal Palace. The incident with Havertz saw his goal disallowed due to a handball call against the Arsenal forward, despite the lack of conclusive video evidence. The decision raised questions about the application of the handball law and its compatibility with VAR.

Similarly, Gabriel Jesus’ penalty claim was also met with controversy, as the referee and VAR determined that there was no foul. Comparisons were drawn to a penalty awarded to Crystal Palace earlier in the day, highlighting the differing interpretations of similar incidents.

Another incident saw a potential red card for an off-the-ball challenge by Diego Carlos on Eddie Nketiah, which was ultimately not given after VAR review. Additionally, a penalty awarded to Crystal Palace was cancelled after VAR determined a foul in the buildup.

The incidents raise questions about the consistency and application of VAR decisions in the Premier League, as fans and analysts continue to call for greater transparency and accuracy in the decision-making process.