VAR has always been a lightning rod for debate since its introduction, but this season, the controversy surrounding it has seemingly reached a boiling point.
Just weeks into the new campaign, the number of questionable incidents and perceived errors by referees and VAR alike has raised serious concerns, putting the standards of both under a harsher spotlight than ever before.
Many game-defining moments at this early stage of the campaign have repeatedly been spoiled by inconsistent decisions, from controversial red cards to baffling penalty calls, leading to the pressure mounting on officials and the system designed to aid them.
In this article, we will be taking a closer look at some of the most glaring and game-changing refereeing decisions that have sparked controversy throughout the footballing world:
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1 – Joelinton drags the keeper down by the neck vs Bournemouth
Neto collects the ball and looks to get Bournemouth quickly on the break, only for Joelinton to drag the keeper down with an arm around his neck. Despite it clearly being a cynical challenge, and in an area of the body where a red card is usually dealt, Joelinton gets away with just a yellow, sparking outrage among the Bournemouth dugout and crowd.
2 – Leandro Trossard red card vs Manchester City
Trossard’s red card just before halftime has been a subject of debate ever since, with the forward given his second yellow after kicking the ball away after the referee’s whistle had gone. However, many argue that the forward was already in motion of kicking the ball when the whistle went, while others say that there is major inconsistency with the ruling, as many get away with kicking the ball away.
3 – Declan Rice red card vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Exactly the same scenario as Trossard’s, Rice is given his marching orders after tapping the ball a matter of centimetres away as Joel Veltman looked to take a quick free-kick, yet another controversial call for delaying the restart.
4 – Matthijs de Ligt penalty vs West Ham United
In what many have said is the worst call VAR have made, West Ham are given a penalty in the last minute for a coming together between Danny Ings and De Ligt inside the box.
The forward seems to initiate the contact with De Ligt, who pulls out of the challenge, and while the referee initially waved the penalty calls away, VAR suggested to take a look at the monitor, with a highly controversial penalty being awarded.
5 – Ryan Fraser penalty vs Leicester City
This penalty call was not the controversial call in itself, with Fraser clearly pulling Vardy away from the ball to stop him from striking into the empty net, but instead the fact a similar situation happened up the other end with no action taken.
Paul Onuachu’s shirt was tugged by Jordan Ayew inside the box, much like the penalty against Fraser, but no action was taken, raising the issue of inconsistency once again.
6 – Curtis Jones penalty cancelled vs Chelsea
Robert Sanchez gave away a penalty on Jones after coming out and challenging for the ball, with his tackle looking to have gone over the ball and into Jones.
While an initial penalty was given, VAR sent the ref to the monitor, with the decision being reversed, a controversial call given there was clear contact by Sanchez on Jones and minimal contact with the ball.
7 – William Saliba red card vs Bournemouth
While this decision is not that controversial, with Saliba sent off for pulling down Evanilson with the striker through on goal, but more that this situation has occurred multiple other times with no red card awarded.
Just the day after, Tosin was only given a yellow for similarly pulling down Diogo Jota, who looked to be racing through, more inconsistency on show.
8 – Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty cancelled vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Calvert-Lewin appears to be taken down by Lewis Dunk inside the box, with an initial penalty given by the referee. However, VAR sent the ref to the monitor saying that there was no contact made, with the penalty being reversed.
However, while Calvert-Lewin appeared to have stepped on Dunk’s foot while the defender was sliding for the ball, it can be argued that the striker would not have tripped and instead got his shot off if Dunk did not challenge.
9 – John Stones goal allowed after subjective offside vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stones scored a last-minute header vs Wolves, but the awarding of the goal sparked outrage at the Molineux Stadium.
The argument against the goal is that Bernardo Silva was distracting the keeper while standing in an offside position, while others suggest he was neither offside at the time of Stones’s header or was he interfering, a highly controversial call.
10 – Dango Ouattara goal disallowed vs Newcastle United
Ouattara’s last-minute winner against Newcastle was controversially ruled out for the ball reportedly coming off the forward’s arm, but the ruling states that handball counts from the sleeve down, with the ball clearly contacting higher up his arm.
This is yet another sign of the huge inconsistency in refereeing that happens in the Premier League regarding every ruling.
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