Premier League stars warned NOT to celebrate goals as FA confirm latest VAR U-turn
This season, 37 Premier League goals have been ruled out by VAR and new chief referees Howard Webb sought to find a happy medium in terms of the use of technology
Premier League bosses are urging the stars not to get carried away with goal celebrations amid the risk VAR could render them pointless moments later.
During the current season, 37 goals have been ruled out following the use of the technology, a rate of more than one per game week. High-profile officials have come under scrutiny in recent weeks, with division-wide use of VAR being a particular point of contention.
PGMOL boss Howard Webb called an emergency meeting with referees last month after a worrying spate of errors marred Premier League games. That same weekend, Webb was forced to apologize to both Arsenal and Brighton after officials made wrong decisions on key goals at Stockley Park.
And growing uncertainty surrounding the use of the technology is leading managers to tell players to turn down the celebrations. the Daily Mail reports. Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui, a particularly vocal critic of Premier League governance, said last month that his players “have to start knowing that we don’t need to score.”
Newcastle United were the beneficiaries of a borderline call against Wolves earlier this month but were frustrated against Nottingham Forest themselves when Elliot Anderson’s goal was ruled out. Anderson’s strike, which would have been his first senior goal for the Magpies, sparked wild celebrations only to be ruled out after extensive replays.
“I’m not sure what happened there, I have no idea, so I have to sit down and see what happened and what the thought process was,” Howe said after the 2-1 win at the City Ground.
Lopetegui has already received several apologies for mistakes in recent weeks, starting with a controversially unrecognized goal against Liverpool. And relegation-threatened Wolves once again had decisions to make last weekend after losing a crucial six-pointer with Leeds United.
Wolves were beaten 4-2 at Molineux but felt they were wrong on several tight decisions including not being awarded a penalty and when a controversial fourth goal was allowed. Matheus Nunes was sent off following that decision but his three-game game has now been annulled by the Football Association.
“I don’t wait for apologies, I want fairness,” said Lopetegui after the final whistle. “The refereeing decisions since my appointment have been incredible. I could do a book. Maybe it’s not balanced when you often make the same mistakes.”
Reflecting on Nunes’ red card, he added: “It’s not a red card. He complained about the linesman. It was a very clear foul for Leeds’ fourth goal. I saw the same pictures [the referee] saw, but he said no. You can see the pictures. It is a pity.”
However, former Premier League referee Graham Poll disagreed with the Wolves boss and felt Michael Sailsbury and VAR David Coote were spot on on the field at Molineux. “Wolverhampton Wanderers have not been ‘treated harshly’ or treated unfairly and certainly no apologies are needed from (Head of PGMOL) Howard Webb after a riveting game at Molineux,” said Poll.
“Referee Michael Salisbury had to make an unusual number of big, important decisions with the support of VAR and they did it pretty well.”