𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐯𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐦: Premier League & PGMOL to review controversial VAR decisions

The Premier League has asked PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Board) to review VAR decisions that denied goals for West Ham and Newcastle against Chelsea and Crystal Palace respectively.

In both instances on Saturday, VAR intervened to controversially disallow a goal.

West Ham were denied a late Maxwel Cornet equaliser against Chelsea for a supposed foul on goalkeeper Edouard Mendy which was let go in real time.

Hammers boss David Moyes labelled it a ‘ridiculously bad decision’ and damningly said: “...The sad thing is this is the level of the weak refereeing at the moment.”

At Newcastle, the Magpies saw an own goal from Crystal Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell chalked off for an apparent foul on goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, again, something that had been let go in real time.

In the latter of the two incident, BBC pundit Alan Shearer accused VAR of giving ‘no help’ to inexperienced top flight referee Michael Salisbury.

“Lee Mason (VAR) is the one to blame because it is an inexperienced referee. At this level you have got to get that decision right, he has had no help from VAR. Far too many errors, VAR is not the problem, it is the people who are running it,” Shearer said of Newcastle’s disallowed goal.

VAR also came under scrutiny in Sunday’s early kick-off when a lengthy check for a possible offside eventually saw on-field referee Tony Harrington disallow a screamer from Alexis Mac Allister.

Only days earlier, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte accused officials in English football of not knowing how to properly use VAR.

“In England they have to learn much more to use the VAR in the right way. You have to study very well and be more accurate,” Conte said in midweek.

“If there is VAR, you have to utilise it in the right way or accept the decision of the referee. If you have a TV then you have time to see. It is difficult not only for me but every coach.”