Controversial VAR Decision Shocks Fans: PGMOL Chief Howard Webb Delivers Astonishing Statement on Luis Diaz's Disallowed Goal

PGMOL chief Howard Webb has provided an explanation for why VAR was unable to correct the obvious error that resulted in Liverpool's Luis Diaz being denied a goal against Tottenham in the second episode of Match Officials: Mic'd Up.

Webb stated that VAR Darren England "lost track of the original ruling on the field" as he hurried through the necessary procedures. He emphasized the importance of efficiency while stressing that it should not come at the expense of accuracy.

Webb confirmed that both FIFA and IFAB regulations prohibit officials from intervening to rectify the mistake. However, England and Assistant VAR Dan Cook did question this possibility "when the penny dropped".

"At that moment, they deliberated whether they could halt the game, but they acknowledged that the regulations established by FIFA and the IFAB prohibit such actions. The laws of the game have a defined process for VAR usage to ensure consistency across all leagues worldwide. Unfortunately, it does not permit retrospective corrections in these circumstances. Consequently, they opted not to intervene."

"I comprehend why the question was raised, and I am aware that even before this incident occurred, IFAB had planned to conduct a comprehensive review of the game's laws concerning the utilization of VAR."

Furthermore, Webb clarified that the error was not brought to the attention of the on-field referee, Simon Hooper, until the conclusion of the game. Our previous report stated that he was informed during halftime.

In full: Webb's analysis of the Diaz goal mistake

Michael Owen: "What is your perspective on this incident?"

Howard Webb explained the reason behind releasing the audio from the situation immediately after it occurred. The purpose was to showcase the evident human error and lack of focus that had occurred.

The disappointment was shared by everyone involved, especially as the VAR system did not intervene to correct the obvious mistake of disallowing the goal. The officials themselves were incredibly disheartened as they strive to have a positive impact on the game. However, in this particular case, that was not the outcome. It is important to note that even in the absence of VAR, the disallowed goal would have remained disallowed. Nonetheless, the existence of VAR is crucial in rectifying incorrect decisions made on the field.

Michael Owen inquired about the cause of the confusion that led to our disappointment. Our subsequent objective was to investigate the incident and identify measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

Howard Webb explains that the VAR, Darren England, efficiently checked for an offside position by Luis Diaz in a quick manner. Despite criticism for being slow, accuracy is always prioritized. Darren swiftly draws a line indicating a clear picture, realizing Diaz was onside. He promptly completes the check and informs the on-field referee, Simon Hooper. Simon assumes the check is for offside and resumes the game.

Michael Owen raised concerns about the vagueness of the words used, considering the recent events. He questioned if more substantial comments could be given instead.

Howard Webb acknowledged that human errors occur in various aspects of life, including in this case. He emphasized the importance of implementing measures to minimize the impact of such errors. This incident highlighted the need to reinforce communication protocols within VAR to prevent similar occurrences. Webb sought clear communication between the on-field referee and the VAR, ensuring that the on-field decision is relayed effectively and acknowledged by the VAR.

The VAR undergoes a process where they review the situation and provide clear instructions to the VAR operator to obtain accurate camera angles. They also communicate with the assistant VAR during this process to ensure another level of verification. Before relaying the decision to the on-field officials, they discuss their intended direction with the AVAR. It is important to avoid simply saying "check complete," as it lacks clarity. Instead, they should say "check complete, goal confirmed" or "check complete, offside confirmed," depending on the outcome. This serves as a signal to the on-field officials that they need to correct their decision. We have implemented several steps to prevent a recurrence of the crucial error we witnessed in that important game.

Michael Owen raises a valid point about the possibility of the referee stopping the game and reverting back 30 seconds after an exceptional mistake such as the ball going out.

Howard Webb mentioned that many people have been questioning whether the VAR could have intervened in the recent incident. He acknowledged that even the VAR and AVAR themselves raised this question when they realized what had happened, although it was already 20 seconds later. They considered stopping the game but found that according to FIFA and IFAB's laws of the game, intervention was not allowed. Webb explained that there is a process in place to ensure consistent use of VAR across all leagues, which currently doesn't permit going back in such situations. Therefore, they decided not to intervene. However, Webb understands why the question was raised and revealed that even before this incident, IFAB had planned to conduct a comprehensive review of the laws regarding VAR usage. While the protocol has been effective since its implementation seven years ago, the recent real-life experiences, including the incident mentioned, will contribute to potential tweaks in the system. Webb expressed confidence that IFAB will thoroughly examine the usage of VAR in this aspect as well.

Michael Owen asked Howard Webb if the referee was aware of everything happening during the game. Howard Webb responded by saying that the referee was not aware of what was going on. While some people speculated that the referee's expression showed that he knew, he actually did not find out until the end of the game. Howard Webb believes that it's better for the referee to be unaware so they can stay focused on the game and make unbiased decisions. In this case, the referee and the other on-field officials had no knowledge of the situation.

Webb highlights Man Utd disallowed goal for how communication has improved after Diaz controversy

Webb explains Luton's handball penalty against Wolves

Webb on why 'extremely fortunate' Kovacic should have been sent off in Arsenal vs Man City

Watch Match Officials: Mic'd Up on We, and catch up on SkySports.com, the We App and We social channels.