The Premier League has released audio footage surrounding the controversial decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s header during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. The effort would have levelled proceedings at the Etihad Stadium, however it was deemed that Andy Robertson obstructed Gianluigi Donnarumma after standing in an offside position.
Van Dijk expertly headed home from a well-worked corner with Robertson ducking under the ball before it nestled into the bottom corner. Thirteen seconds after the ball was in the back of the net, the linesman’s flag was raised and the goal was disallowed.
It was deemed that the Scotland defender made an “obvious movement directly” in front of the Italian shot-stopper following the intervention from VAR.
The incident was criticised by the Liverpool captain and the club launched a complaint to the PGMOL as they expressed significant concerns over the justification for the disallowed goal.
On Tuesday, PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb defended the decision that was made on-field which was checked and completed by VAR officials, Michael Oliver and Tim Wood.
In the Match Officials Mic’d Up show with former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, the footage of the goal was accompanied by the audio between the linesman, referee Chris Kavanagh and the VAR officials at Stockley Park.
“For sure Michael, a huge decision in a big game,” said Webb. “As the ball moves towards Robertson – three yards out from goal in the middle of the six-yard box – he makes that clear action to duck below the ball. It goes just over his head and finds the goal in the half of the six-yard box where he is.
“The officials have to make a judgement, did that clear action impact on the goalkeeper and his ability to save the ball? That’s where the subjectivity comes into play.
“They looked at that action so close to the goalkeeper and formed that opinion.
“I know that’s not a view held by everybody but it’s not unreasonable to understand why [the officials] would form that conclusion when the player is so close to the goalkeeper, the ball is coming right towards him and he has to duck to get out of the way.
“They form the conclusion that it impacts Donnarumma’s ability to dive towards the ball and make the save.
“Once they’ve made that on-field decision, the job of the VAR is to look at that and decide was the outcome clearly and obviously wrong.
“Only Donnarumma truly knows if he was impacted by this and we have to look at the factual evidence.”
On Tuesday the audio footage was released by the Premier League, the full transcript is below.
Assistant referee: “Robertson’s in line of vision, right in front of the keeper. He’s ducked under the ball. He’s very, very close to him. I think he’s line of vision. I think he’s (Donnarumma) been impacted, mate.”
Referee (Chris Kavanagh): “Ok so offside then.”
Assistant referee: “I think offside.”
Referee (Chris Kavangh): “On-field decision is offside.”
VAR (Michael Oliver): “Checking the on-field decision of offside against Andy Robertson. Delay, delay… So you’ve got clear offside position.”
AVAR (Tim Wood): “I agree with the on-field decision. I think it’s offside. It’s a clear, obvious action which clearly impacts on the goalkeeper.”
VAR (Michael Oliver): “Chris, it’s Michael. Confirming the on-field decision of offside against Andy Robertson. He is in an offside position, very close to the goalkeeper and makes an obvious movement directly in front of him. Check complete, offside.”