The top-flight of English football is set to implement VAR starting from next season, amid a flurry of mistakes made by officials and referees already
Southampton's Charlie Austin appears to have had his wishes granted after it was confirmed that the Premier League would be introducing video assistant refereeing (VAR) within the competition starting from the 2019-20 season.
Austin went on an infamous post-match rant recently after he had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside that would have earned his side all three points had it stood. With VAR set to be implemented within the Premier League from next term, Goal takes a look at controversial refereeing decisions so far this season – and are they set to be eliminated entirely with the addition of video replay?
GettySouthampton 1-1 Watford | Charlie Austin disallowed goal
Saints went ahead early through Manolo Gabbiadin's strike but Watford managed to equalise the score to 1-1 through Jose Holebas after the break.
Austin had been convinced he had secured the points prior to Holebas' equaliser, but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement from Maya Yoshida – despite the Southampton defender having not touched the ball.
AdvertisementGettyTottenham 1-2 Liverpool | Spurs not awarded penaltySpurs forward Heung-Min Son appeared to have been brought to ground by Sadio Mane inside the Liverpool penalty area in injury-time with Tottenham trailing 2-1, but nothing was given by referee Michael Oliver.GettyArsenal 1-1 Liverpool | Sadio Mane disallowed goal
Mane had a goal against the Gunners ruled offside that should have stood. The forward was in an offside position but it did not count during play since it is Roberto Firmino who went for the ball – making him the last player to be on the ball. Mane was entitled to go for goal and score, but was wrongly had his goal ruled offside.
Getty ImagesManchester United 3-2 Newcastle United | Ashley Young handball
In one of the most bizarre refereeing decisions so far this season, Ashley Young cleared Jonjo Shelvey's cross inside the penalty box with his forearm, directing it out of play. Referee Anthony Taylor didn't even award Newcastle the corner kick, let alone penalise Manchester United with a penalty and red card!