Ref Watch: Dermot Gallagher Explains Why Liverpool’s Disallowed Goal at Man City Wasn’t a Clear and Obvious Error
In a recent Premier League match, Liverpool’s attempted equalizer against Manchester City faced controversy when Virgil van Dijk’s header was disallowed. This incident involved the positioning of Andy Robertson, deemed to have interfered with the goalkeeper from an offside position.
Understanding the Decision on Van Dijk’s Goal
According to Dermot Gallagher, a former Premier League referee, the call to disallow the goal was not viewed as a ‘clear and obvious error.’ Gallagher explained that the subjective nature of such decisions often leads to differing interpretations.
Gallagher stated, “Everybody sees things slightly differently, and that’s why you can throw up an incident from last year or earlier this season and say, ‘well, they made a different decision.’” He emphasized that there are no strict rules governing such situations.
The Role of VAR
The decision to rule out the goal was made by the on-field assistant referee. When asked whether the main referee should have been referred to the monitor for a review, Gallagher clarified that VAR only intervenes under specific circumstances. “If VAR decides it’s a clear and obvious error, then and only then does the referee go to the screen,” he added.
- Incident Details: Van Dijk’s header was disallowed due to Robertson’s offside interference.
- VAR Intervention: The assistant referee initially determined the offside position.
- Gallagher’s View: He did not believe the incident warranted a review by the main referee.
Contrasting Views from Experts
Former player Jay Bothroyd disagreed with the decision, asserting that the goal should have stood. He argued that Robertson did not make any significant move to impact the goalkeeper’s view, stating, “He ducked under the ball.”
Bothroyd also indicated that the rules about player actions should focus on those making an evident attempt to play the ball. He claimed that Robertson’s actions did not impede the goalkeeper’s chance to make a save effectively.
Further Controversies in the Match
The match also presented additional contentious moments, including a penalty awarded to Manchester City after a VAR review. Gallagher deemed it a legitimate penalty as there was contact made by Giorgi Mamardashvili, stating, “He does catch him with his knee and knocks him out of his stride.”
However, another incident involving contact in a separate game raised questions about consistency in refereeing. When Dan Burn fouled Dango Ouattara without penalty, Gallagher noted the complexities referees face in such situations. He stated, “Not every contact is going to be a penalty.”
The inconsistency in officiating across matches highlights the ongoing challenges in the Premier League concerning VAR and subjective interpretations of the rules. As the season progresses, these discussions will likely continue to ignite debate among players, fans, and analysts alike.
