PGMOL issue statement and make VAR admission after Premier League controversies.
Brentford scored a controversial equaliser against Arsenal through Ivan Toney which should've been ruled out for offside, while Brighton were incorrectly denied a goal because of 'human error' in the VAR room.
The PGMOL have confirmed that they're "thoroughly reviewing" the offside incidents involving Arsenal and Brighton, who've already been contacted by Howard Webb.
Both clubs were left furious after drawing their games, against Brentford and Crystal Palace respectively, 1-1 this Saturday. While Brighton had Pervis Estupinan's well-taken goal at Palace incorrectly ruled out due "human error," title-chasing Arsenal conceded a controversial late equaliser which stunted their Premier League title charge.
After Gunners boss Mikel Arteta questioned the decision following his side's 1-1 draw, it emerged that video assistant referee Lee Mason had forgotten to draw the offside lines which would've resulted in the goal being chalked off. As Arsenal fans vented their fury on Sunday, the PGMOL - the body responsible for match officials in English professional football - released a statement.
"PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday," it read. "Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL."
Webb became the PGMOL's first chief refereeing officer in January, with one of his tasks to improve relations between referees and clubs. It was only on Monday when the former Premier League referee said: "Officials like using VAR, it gives them that comfort of knowing they're not going to make those errors that they're going to have to live with for the next few days."
Howard Webb urged to sack Lee Mason by fellow ref after third major VAR error at Arsenal.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb should sack Lee Mason after his latest gaffe in Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Brentford, according to former Premier League referee Keith Hackett.
Mason was on VAR duty as the Gunners controversially dropped points at the Emirates Stadium.
Hackett, a top-flight referee for over two decades, has told Webb to dismiss Mason after his high-profile error.
He said: "Howard Webb is now in charge of the PGMOL. One of the first things he should do is dismiss permanent VAR operator Lee Mason.
"This weekend, Mason lets another referee down by not disallowing the Brentford goal for offside. These are decisions that VAR should get right."
Mason was previously under scrutiny for two more blunders in as many years. In 2021, he incorrectly overturned two red cards during a game between West Ham and Southampton.
As a result, he stepped down from VAR duties but later returned. But he was at the centre of controversy again earlier this season.
After Newcastle United thought they had netted a late winner against Crystal Palace in September, Mason incorrectly informed referee Michael Salisbury that it should be disallowed for a foul.
Breaking: PGMOL confirm huge Lee Mason decision after Arsenal mistake and Howard Webb contact.
PGMOL has announced that referee Lee Mason has left his role as a Video Assistant Referee by mutual consent.
Mason was in charge of VAR for Arsenal's match against Brentford and failed to apply the correct checking procedures for Ivan Toney's equalising goal. The game ended 1-1.
The incident saw Mason receive widespread backlash and ridicule, whilst new PGMOL chief Howard Webb contacted the Gunners regarding the wrong decision.
Less than one week later Mason has left, with a statement saying: "PGMOL can confirm that Video Assistant Referee Lee Mason has departed the organisation by mutual consent.
Football fans have a lot in common with poker players. In that the glass always seems to be half empty, and we concentrate on perceived faults, rather than weigh up the pros and cons. I do it myself.
Current example. Everyone bangs on about how VAR takes too long. And when someone does speed up and makes an error, it is all his fault. Not ours. That said, Lee Mason has made rather too many mistakes recently.
VAR makes mistakes. But it makes less mistakes than a referee without the benefit of cameras later. But no-one mentions that-just that it makes mistakes.
Finally, the role of a Referee is very different to that of a VAR Referee. But there seems to be no specialist VAR Referees, or (afaik) any specialist training.
Comments
Brentford scored a controversial equaliser against Arsenal through Ivan Toney which should've been ruled out for offside, while Brighton were incorrectly denied a goal because of 'human error' in the VAR room.
The PGMOL have confirmed that they're "thoroughly reviewing" the offside incidents involving Arsenal and Brighton, who've already been contacted by Howard Webb.
Both clubs were left furious after drawing their games, against Brentford and Crystal Palace respectively, 1-1 this Saturday. While Brighton had Pervis Estupinan's well-taken goal at Palace incorrectly ruled out due "human error," title-chasing Arsenal conceded a controversial late equaliser which stunted their Premier League title charge.
After Gunners boss Mikel Arteta questioned the decision following his side's 1-1 draw, it emerged that video assistant referee Lee Mason had forgotten to draw the offside lines which would've resulted in the goal being chalked off. As Arsenal fans vented their fury on Sunday, the PGMOL - the body responsible for match officials in English professional football - released a statement.
"PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday," it read. "Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL."
Webb became the PGMOL's first chief refereeing officer in January, with one of his tasks to improve relations between referees and clubs. It was only on Monday when the former Premier League referee said: "Officials like using VAR, it gives them that comfort of knowing they're not going to make those errors that they're going to have to live with for the next few days."
PGMOL chief Howard Webb should sack Lee Mason after his latest gaffe in Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Brentford, according to former Premier League referee Keith Hackett.
Mason was on VAR duty as the Gunners controversially dropped points at the Emirates Stadium.
Hackett, a top-flight referee for over two decades, has told Webb to dismiss Mason after his high-profile error.
He said: "Howard Webb is now in charge of the PGMOL. One of the first things he should do is dismiss permanent VAR operator Lee Mason.
"This weekend, Mason lets another referee down by not disallowing the Brentford goal for offside. These are decisions that VAR should get right."
Mason was previously under scrutiny for two more blunders in as many years. In 2021, he incorrectly overturned two red cards during a game between West Ham and Southampton.
As a result, he stepped down from VAR duties but later returned. But he was at the centre of controversy again earlier this season.
After Newcastle United thought they had netted a late winner against Crystal Palace in September, Mason incorrectly informed referee Michael Salisbury that it should be disallowed for a foul.
PGMOL has announced that referee Lee Mason has left his role as a Video Assistant Referee by mutual consent.
Mason was in charge of VAR for Arsenal's match against Brentford and failed to apply the correct checking procedures for Ivan Toney's equalising goal. The game ended 1-1.
The incident saw Mason receive widespread backlash and ridicule, whilst new PGMOL chief Howard Webb contacted the Gunners regarding the wrong decision.
Less than one week later Mason has left, with a statement saying: "PGMOL can confirm that Video Assistant Referee Lee Mason has departed the organisation by mutual consent.
Quite right too. People need to be accountable when so much is at stake.
But the fact remains that, in this particular multi-£billion industry, the only people who get blamed are the Referees.
Who are the only people who are not paid gazillions...
@Essexphil
That's also very fair comment.
Current example. Everyone bangs on about how VAR takes too long. And when someone does speed up and makes an error, it is all his fault. Not ours. That said, Lee Mason has made rather too many mistakes recently.
VAR makes mistakes. But it makes less mistakes than a referee without the benefit of cameras later. But no-one mentions that-just that it makes mistakes.
Finally, the role of a Referee is very different to that of a VAR Referee. But there seems to be no specialist VAR Referees, or (afaik) any specialist training.