Tag: VAR

Haaland Wants Late Cherki Goal Given Instead of Szoboszlai Red Card

Erling Haaland
January 2026

Erling Haaland criticised the late VAR decision that disallowed Rayan Cherki’s stoppage-time goal at Anfield and instead sent off Dominik Szoboszlai, arguing officials should have allowed the goal rather than issuing a three-match ban. With Liverpool pushing forward, Cherki released Haaland through on goal. Szoboszlai pulled Haaland back, Haaland then pulled Szoboszlai as the ball trickled in. VAR ruled the goal out for Haaland’s foul and dismissed Szoboszlai for denying a clear chance earlier in the move. Haaland said he felt bad for Szoboszlai and preferred the goal to stand.

Napoli Survive Genoa Thriller as Hojlund Seals Late Win and Conte Flags McTominay Issue

Scott McTominay
January 2026

Napoli came from behind to beat Genoa 3-2 with a stoppage-time penalty, with Højlund scoring twice and McTominay also on target, but Conte confirmed his midfielder is playing through an ongoing tendon problem that forced him off at halftime. Napoli trailed to a Ruslan Malinovskyi penalty, then struck back through Højlund and McTominay. McTominay was replaced at the break, Napoli later went down to 10 after Juan Jesus’ red card, conceded an equaliser, then won it via VAR-awarded penalty converted by Højlund.

Guardiola Unhappy Spurs Goal Stood in City’s 2-2 Draw at Tottenham

Pep Guardiola
January 2026

Guardiola argued Tottenham’s first goal should not have stood after a contentious contact in the build-up/finish, as City blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2. City led through Cherki and Semenyo, then Solanke scored twice to level; Guardiola said similar contact by a defender on a striker is given as a penalty, and pointed to inconsistency in Premier League officiating.

Stoppage-Time Brawl After Chelsea Winner, Todibo Sent Off for Throat Grab

Jean-Clair Todibo
January 2026

A mass brawl erupted late after Chelsea’s comeback winner, ending with Todibo shown a straight red card for violent conduct. The flashpoint began when Traore shoved Cucurella near the touchline. In the melee, Todibo grabbed Pedro by the throat; VAR reviewed and dismissed him. Players including Palmer and Mavropanos were involved as tempers flared.

Howard Webb Backs Dalot Yellow Card in Manchester Derby, Rejects Red Calls

Howard Webb
January 2026

Webb said officials were correct to book Dalot rather than send him off for a studs-up challenge on Doku that sparked debate. Webb argued the contact was brief and glancing and lacked the speed and intensity typical of serious-foul-play reds, warning that slow motion and freeze frames exaggerate force and distort real-time assessment that referees and VAR must prioritise.

Chelsea Discipline Problems Grow After Cucurella Red Card at Fulham

Marc Cucurella
January 2026

Chelsea fans turned on Marc Cucurella after he was sent off at Fulham for denying a clear goalscoring chance, adding to Chelsea’s already high red-card total this season. Cucurella hauled back Harry Wilson after a long ball sent him through. VAR upheld the DOGSO red card, ruling the holding offence did not continue into the box. Fulham failed to score from the free-kick, and a later Wilson goal was offside.

Wirtz Thought VAR Would Overturn Equaliser as Liverpool Settle for 2-2 at Fulham

Florian Wirtz
January 2026

Florian Wirtz said he was convinced his goal would be ruled offside after a long VAR check in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Fulham. The match swung late when Harrison Reed scored in stoppage time to deny Liverpool victory. Wirtz did not celebrate because he expected an offside call, while commentary later focused on the Premier League’s tolerance band within semi-automated offside, which can allow marginal decisions to stand. Carragher questioned how the goal was given.

Slot Rages at Non-Penalty in Leeds Draw and Says Liverpool Must Stay “Who We Are”

Arne Slot
January 2026

Arne Slot criticised refereeing after Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Leeds, arguing Hugo Ekitike was denied a penalty because he stayed on his feet. Slot said Liverpool must keep their identity while pointing to what he views as a pattern of softer penalties being given against them. Slot cited multiple incidents this season where Liverpool did not receive spot-kicks after contact, while conceding penalties for minimal contact. He argued this dynamic influences players to stay upright, making it harder for referees and VAR to award penalties.

United Fans Outraged As Semenyo Avoids Red For Dalot Flashpoint

Antoine Semenyo
December 2025

Manchester United supporters erupted online after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo escaped a red card for appearing to put his hand around Diogo Dalot’s throat during a heated confrontation, with VAR and the on-field referee settling on a yellow despite furious protests. The flashpoint came with the score at 1-1 as players from both sides piled in and Bruno Fernandes intervened, prompting claims of double standards from United fans on social media, who labelled the decision “pathetic” and argued similar incidents had previously brought dismissals.

Maresca fumes over Hincapie elbow after Caicedo sending off

Piero Hincapie
December 2025

Enzo Maresca argued Piero Hincapie should have been sent off for elbowing Trevoh Chalobah under the eye, criticising what he sees as inconsistent refereeing after Moises Caicedo was correctly dismissed for a dangerous tackle and referencing previous leniency shown to Rodrigo Bentancur against Chelsea. Hincapie received only a yellow following VAR review on the aerial clash that left Chalobah with visible facial swelling, while Caicedo’s studs-up lunge on Mikel Merino was upgraded to red, prompting Maresca to accept the dismissal but demand clarity on why similar high and reckless challenges are judged differently week to week.

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