Following high-profile VAR errors in the Premier League over the weekend, Premier League chief referee Howard Webb has summoned all officials to an emergency meeting on Tuesday, February 14.
There’s been so much criticism directed at VAR since its introduction into the Premier League in 2019, and it had one of its most controversial days yet on February 11, 2023. The technology was at the centre of attention during Chelsea’s visit to West Ham, Arsenal’s clash with Brentford, and Crystal Palace’s draw with Brighton.
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Daily Mail reported that the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Webb has summoned all officials to Stockley Park for an emergency summit after Arsenal, Brighton and Chelsea were denied crucial decisions.
VAR official Lee Mason reportedly forgot to draw the lines that would have deemed Christian Norgaard offside before he set up Ivan Toney’s equalizer as the Gunners dropped two crucial points in their title race during the 1-1 draw with Brentford.
Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan had his goal ruled out through another error when John Brooks drew the offside line from the wrong defender.
An apparent handball by Tomas Soucek was also not given for Chelsea in the dying minutes against West Ham, a decision that left former referee Peter Walton stunned.
The report claims that Webb, who was recently appointed chief of the PGMOL, may sack some officials involved in the decision after ordering an urgent review with all options on the table.
The meeting has been deemed compulsory by Webb as every referee, assistant referee, and VAR official is expected to attend after Webb was forced to apologize to both Arsenal and Brighton for Saturday’s blunders.