Premier League take action as VAR from Liverpool howler discovers punishment
Darren England has been replaced as the fourth official for Nottingham Forest's clash with Brentford on Sunday after being on VAR duty during Liverpool's controversial 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.
The 37-year-old was the person responsible for VAR as Liverpool were beaten in north London, though the match was filled with several contentious decisions. The first occurred when, following a VAR review, Curtis Jones was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Yves Bissouma.
Liverpool then thought they had taken the lead through Luis Diaz, only for the offside flag to be raised. After a 40-second review, VAR did not overrule the decision, despite replays showing the Colombian looked to be in an onside position when Mohamed Salah played the ball through.
Following the full-time whistle, PGMOL admitted the decision was a "clear and obvious factual error" and that a full review will be conducted. In the meantime, PGMOL have decided to take England off fourth official duty for Forest's home game against Brentford, while assistant VAR official Dan Cook will not be involved as an assistant referee in Chelsea's trip to face Fulham on Monday night.
Craig Pawson and Eddie Smart are now set to step in as PGMOL choose to stand down England and Cook from their respective duties. PGMOL released a statement after Liverpool's defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and apologised to Jurgen Klopp's side for the mistake.
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Darren England was on VAR duty during Tottenham's win over Liverpool (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)The statement read: "PGMOL acknowledges a significant human error occurred during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool. 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. PGMOL will immediately be contacting Liverpool at the conclusion of the fixture to acknowledge the error."
Son Heung-min gave Tottenham the lead during an action-packed encounter in the 36th minute, before Liverpool levelled on the stroke of half-time through Cody Gakpo. Then with Liverpool already a man down, their task was made a whole lot tougher when Diogo Jota was shown his marching orders for two quick-fire yellow cards.
Liverpool defended superbly, up until Joel Matip diverted the ball into his own net to hand Tottenham all three points. After the match, Klopp fumed at the officials. He said: "I was never more proud of the team than today. I never saw a game like this with the most unfair circumstances, crazy decisions.
"We scored an own goal, that is really tough to take but I am really proud. The first red card, Curtis steps on the ball and goes over. Not a bad tackle. It looks different in slow motion. He steps full throttle on the ball and goes over the ball. That is unlucky.
"[For Diogo Jota] first yellow was not a yellow. Then he gets a second and to defend with nine players is tricky. You want to build something you need players with mentality and I saw them today, they fought. Pretty special tonight."
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