Premier League backs officials over disallowed Van Dijk goal in Liverpool defeat

Premier League backs officials over disallowed Van Dijk goal in Liverpool defeat

Premier League's chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb, defended the decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk's goal against Manchester City, calling it a "not unreasonable" call despite widespread criticism. The 3-0 loss on Sunday left Liverpool fans and pundits questioning the VAR review that upheld the offside ruling against Andrew Robertson.

The disputed moment

Van Dijk's potential equalizer was ruled out after assistant referee Stuart Burt and VAR official Michael Oliver determined Robertson, in an offside position, had "ducked under the ball" in front of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The VAR team cited Robertson's proximity to Donnarumma and his "obvious action"-defined under IFAB Law 11 as any movement that could impact an opponent's ability to play the ball-as justification for the call.

Audio from the VAR room revealed Burt emphasizing Robertson's movement: "He's ducked under the ball. He's very, very close to him." Assistant VAR Tim Wood agreed, stating, "It's a clear, obvious action which clearly impacts on the goalkeeper." Oliver later confirmed the decision, noting Robertson's position and movement as decisive factors.

Webb's stance: A subjective gray area

Webb acknowledged the controversy but stopped short of declaring the call definitively correct. Instead, he framed it as a judgment within the "subjective corridor" of the law, where multiple interpretations could be valid. "It's not about the line of vision," Webb clarified, stressing that Robertson's proximity and action alone were sufficient grounds for the offside ruling.

"You could not go out and referee a game just by reading the Laws of the Game, because so much of the intended interpretation is hidden in further guidance given to referees."

Howard Webb, Premier League chief refereeing officer

He also noted that goalkeepers' ability to make "miraculous saves" complicates overturning on-field decisions, as it becomes difficult to prove beyond doubt that an action like Robertson's did not affect the goalkeeper's reaction.

Fan and pundit backlash

The decision sparked outrage among Liverpool supporters, who focused on the VAR team's initial discussion about Donnarumma's line of sight-a factor Webb later downplayed. Former players and analysts, including Wayne Rooney, argued the goal should have stood, highlighting the law's ambiguity. Rooney's critique underscored a broader frustration: even "reasonable" calls under subjective rules leave one side feeling aggrieved.

Webb's response reflected the inherent tension in VAR's framework, where "obvious errors" are meant to be corrected-but what constitutes "obvious" often divides opinion. The incident reignited debates over whether ducking or avoiding the ball should be penalized, particularly when no attempt to play it is made.

Broader implications for VAR

The controversy underscores a recurring issue with VAR: decisions that fall into gray areas inevitably fuel perception of inconsistency. Webb's careful wording-"not unreasonable" rather than "correct"-signals the Premier League's reluctance to alienate either club while standing by its officials. Yet for fans, such nuance offers little consolation.

As Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp noted post-match, the ruling "doesn't feel right"-a sentiment echoed by many, even if the letter of the law technically supports the call. The incident may prompt further clarification from IFAB on what constitutes an "obvious action," though past revisions suggest such ambiguities are unlikely to disappear entirely.

What's next

Liverpool now face a midweek Champions League clash, while Manchester City extend their unbeaten Premier League run. The fallout from the decision is expected to dominate pre-match discussions, with pundits and officials likely to revisit the interpretation of offside laws in coming weeks.