Darren England, a referee who made a critical error in a match between Liverpool and Tottenham in September, is set to return to Premier League VAR duty after being involved in a decision that saw Luis Diaz’s goal incorrectly disallowed. The error was labelled as ‘inexplicable’ by referee bosses, leading to his temporary stand down from all duties. The error occurred when England incorrectly communicated that a goal should have been awarded to Liverpool after Diaz’s strike, but play continued as the original on-field decision was for offside.
Following the incident, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) released a statement acknowledging the significant human error that occurred during the match. The VAR team incorrectly communicated that the check was complete, affirming the on-field decision without considering the correct ruling. Despite attempts to rectify the mistake, play had already restarted, preventing any intervention. The error was deemed as a lapse in concentration and a lack of focus by the individual match official.
Luis Diaz and Liverpool received an apology for the error that led to the disallowance of the goal. The PGMOL clarified the sequence of events that led to the error, highlighting the failure of the VAR team to correct the on-field decision. England has been away from Premier League VAR duty for over six months and will officiate Fulham’s match against West Ham United this weekend. Since the incident, he has refereed two Premier League matches and been involved in nine Championship outings.
The audio from the incident revealed England’s reaction as his colleagues pointed out the mistake, but the game had already resumed, preventing any correction. Despite the error, England has continued to operate as both a referee and fourth official in various matches. The upcoming match marks England’s return to Premier League VAR duty since the incident in September. The PGMOL’s review of the error described it as a critical lapse in concentration and a clear lack of focus by the referee, leading to the incorrect decision.
The incident with Darren England’s error in the Liverpool-Tottenham match highlighted the challenges and controversies surrounding VAR technology in football. Despite efforts to improve accuracy and consistency in officiating, human errors like these can still occur. The return of England to Premier League VAR duty signals a chance for redemption and a renewed focus on ensuring accurate and fair decision-making in matches. It serves as a reminder of the complexities and nuances involved in modern football officiating, where technology and human judgment must work together seamlessly.
