VAR Chaos at the Etihad — Premier League Breaks Its Silence
The Premier League has finally issued a statement following the controversial refereeing decisions in Manchester City’s 3–0 victory over Liverpool — a match that has dominated headlines and sparked outrage among fans worldwide.
Both Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal and the penalty awarded to Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku were reviewed extensively by VAR, but the official explanation released today has only added fuel to the fire.
The Disallowed Goal — What the Premier League Said
According to the official statement from the Premier League’s Match Centre, Van Dijk’s goal in the 42nd minute was disallowed due to offside interference involving Andrew Robertson, who was deemed to be actively impacting play during the buildup.
The explanation reads:
“After reviewing the footage, it was determined that Andrew Robertson was in an offside position and obstructing the goalkeeper’s line of sight at the time of Virgil van Dijk’s strike. Therefore, the goal was disallowed in accordance with Law 11 of the IFAB Laws of the Game.”
However, fans have been quick to challenge that interpretation, pointing out that Robertson was clearly behind the goalkeeper when the ball was struck. Social media exploded within minutes of the announcement, with one fan writing:
“So Robertson is offside because he blinked too close to the goalkeeper now? This is beyond a joke.”
The Jeremy Doku Penalty — “Soft Decision” Sparks Outrage
The second and perhaps more contentious incident came in the second half, when Jeremy Doku went down in the box after minimal contact from Robertson.
The on-field referee immediately pointed to the spot, and VAR, after a brief check, upheld the penalty — a call that many have described as “soft” and “game-changing.”
The Premier League statement defended the decision:
“There was clear contact between Robertson and Doku, which impeded the attacking player’s progress. After VAR review, the on-field decision was supported as there was insufficient evidence of a clear and obvious error.”
But former players and pundits have condemned the call, arguing that it highlights the inconsistency and bias that have plagued refereeing this season.
Pundits React — “This Is Getting Embarrassing”
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher blasted the officiating, saying:
“That’s not a penalty anywhere else on the pitch. If that’s the standard now, then every contact in the box is a foul. It’s embarrassing for the officials.”
Meanwhile, Micah Richards defended the referee’s decision, claiming that while the contact was minimal, “the intent and timing were enough for VAR not to intervene.”
The divided opinions only fueled fan frustration, as thousands of Liverpool supporters flooded social media demanding an official apology or, at the very least, a review of the match.
Fans Furious — #JusticeForLiverpool Trends Globally
Within hours of the statement, the hashtag #JusticeForLiverpool began trending on X (formerly Twitter).
One angry fan posted:
“Every time Liverpool plays City, there’s controversy. VAR is supposed to help the game, not destroy it. We’ve lost faith in the system.”
Another wrote:
“The Premier League needs to be investigated. These calls always go in one direction — and it’s not coincidence anymore.”
Even neutral fans agreed that the level of inconsistency in VAR usage has reached an unacceptable level.
Arne Slot’s Furious Reaction
Liverpool boss Arne Slot, already vocal about refereeing inconsistencies this season, was reportedly furious after reading the official statement.
“It’s one thing to make mistakes,” Slot told reporters. “But to defend them with statements like this is insulting. Football deserves better. Liverpool deserves better.”
Sources close to Anfield say the club is preparing to formally contact PGMOL and the Premier League to demand a review of the match’s officiating.
PGMOL Under Fire Yet Again
This is not the first time the Premier League’s refereeing body, PGMOL, has come under scrutiny. Earlier this season, Liverpool were denied a legitimate goal against Tottenham due to what was later admitted as a “human error.”
Many believe Sunday’s decisions could reignite the debate over introducing semi-automated offside technology and stricter referee accountability measures.
What Happens Next
While the Premier League insists that all decisions were made according to the rules, fans remain unconvinced.
The fallout from this latest controversy could have major implications — not just for Liverpool’s title chase, but for the credibility of officiating in English football altogether.
As calls grow louder for reform, one thing is certain — VAR has once again stolen the spotlight from the football itself.
Statement issued after controversial penalty decision and why Virgil van Dijk’s goal against Manchester City was ruled out.
The Premier League Match Centre provides an explanation regarding the VAR decision on the penalty awarded to Jeremy Doku, as well as the contentious offside involving Robertson
