VAR controversy erupts at the Etihad as the Premier League finally breaks its silence.
Following Manchester City’s 3–0 win over Liverpool, the league has released an official statement addressing the two major VAR incidents that have sparked outrage among fans and pundits worldwide — Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal and the penalty awarded to Jeremy Doku.
The Disallowed Goal — Premier League’s Explanation
According to the Premier League’s Match Centre, Van Dijk’s goal in the 42nd minute was ruled out for offside interference.
The statement explained that Andrew Robertson was deemed to have obstructed the goalkeeper’s line of sight while standing in an offside position, violating Law 11 of the IFAB Laws of the Game.
However, many fans and analysts disagreed, arguing that Robertson was actually behind the goalkeeper when Van Dijk struck the ball. Social media quickly erupted with frustration, with one fan commenting: “So Robertson’s offside because he blinked near the keeper? Ridiculous.”
The Jeremy Doku Penalty — A “Soft” Call Sparks Fury
The second major incident occurred in the second half when Jeremy Doku went down in the box after slight contact from Robertson. The referee awarded a penalty immediately, and VAR upheld the decision after a short review.
The Premier League defended the call, stating: “There was contact that impeded the attacker’s progress. VAR confirmed there was no clear and obvious error.”
Still, pundits were divided. Jamie Carragher called it “embarrassing officiating,” arguing that similar contact elsewhere on the pitch would never be given as a foul. Micah Richards, however, backed the referee, saying the minimal contact justified VAR’s non-intervention.
Fan Reactions — #JusticeForLiverpool Takes Over
Within hours, #JusticeForLiverpool began trending worldwide. Furious supporters accused officials of bias and inconsistency. One fan wrote, “VAR is ruining the game — these calls always go City’s way.” Others demanded a full investigation into the Premier League’s refereeing standards.
Arne Slot’s Response and Possible Legal Action
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was livid after reading the Premier League’s explanation. “It’s one thing to make mistakes,” he said, “but to defend them like this insults everyone who loves football.” Reports suggest Liverpool plan to contact PGMOL and the Premier League to request an official review.
PGMOL Under Pressure
This is the latest in a string of VAR controversies involving Liverpool. Earlier this season, the club was denied a legitimate goal against Tottenham — a blunder later blamed on “human error.” Fans and pundits are now calling for semi-automated offside technology and stricter accountability for referees.
What Lies Ahead
Though the Premier League insists that both decisions followed the rules, many remain unconvinced. The fallout could have serious consequences — not only for Liverpool’s title ambitions but for the credibility of officiating in English football as a whole.
Once again, VAR has managed to overshadow the match itself — leaving fans asking whether technology has helped the game, or harmed it.
