Controversy Erupts as Van Dijk Goal Ruled Out
A significant ruling from the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel has declared that Virgil van Dijk's headed goal against Manchester City should not have been disallowed. The Liverpool captain thought he had equalised after powerfully heading home from a corner, only for the officials to controversially chalk it off.
The Offside Decision Under Scrutiny
The decision centred on Andy Robertson, who was deemed to be in an offside position and interfering with Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's line of sight. The panel, which includes three former players or coaches alongside representatives from the Premier League and PGMOL, reviewed the incident and contradicted the on-field call made by referee Chris Kavanagh and assistant Stuart Burt.
According to a report in the Times, the panel concluded that the goal should have stood. However, in a nuanced verdict, they also stated that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Michael Oliver, was correct not to overturn the decision. This is because VAR protocols restrict intervention on such subjective offside calls, leaving the final judgment with the on-field officials.
Fury and Defence Following the Incident
The disallowed goal provoked immediate anger from Liverpool and their supporters. Fans and pundits alike argued that Robertson was never between the ball and Donnarumma, who appeared to have a clear view of Van Dijk's header. Liverpool manager Arne Slot was vocal in his criticism after the match, stating he believed it was "obvious and clear the wrong decision has been made."
Slot even referenced a previous, similar goal allowed for Manchester City against Wolves to highlight the inconsistency. The club subsequently contacted PGMOL to formally dispute the ruling, rejecting the notion that Donnarumma was impeded.
In stark contrast, referees' chief Howard Webb has launched a staunch defence of the decision. On the Match Officials Mic'd Up show, Webb explained the subjectivity of the call, focusing on Robertson's action of ducking under the ball as it travelled towards goal. He argued that the officials had to judge whether this movement impacted the goalkeeper's ability to make a save, and it was "not unreasonable" for them to conclude that it did.
The broadcasted conversation between the officials revealed the assistant referee's immediate concern about Robertson being in the goalkeeper's "line of vision" and having "ducked under the ball." This led to the on-field decision of offside, which VAR then confirmed after checking the protocol.
