Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has given his verdict on whether VAR made the right call by ruling out Liverpool’s equaliser during their 1-0 loss at Galatasaray on Tuesday night. The Reds made a fast start to proceedings at Rams Park – named by AI as the loudest football stadium in the world – but failed to make the most of their early possession before going a goal down through Mario Lemina in just the seventh minute.
The Reds will still feel confident about their chances of progressing beyond the Round of 16 in the Champions League, with the two teams yet to play the second leg at Anfield next week, where no Turkish supporters will be allowed in attendance. Arne Slot will know that a 1-0 result isn’t the end of the world against opposition who have only lost one of their last 10 home games against English clubs in European competition.
Liverpool appeared to restore parity when a scramble in the box saw Ibrahima Konate get the last touch as the ball trickled over the line during the second-half, which would have boosted their chances even more. While controversy over that decision continues to linger, with many believing the grappling that Galatasaray players got involved in went ignored, Clattenburg has cast an expert eye on things.
Clattenburg Vindicates VAR Decision During Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
In a crowded penalty box, several Galatasaray players appeared to be wrestling Liverpool players, and although Konate does handle the ball, he does not seem to see it at any point as it enters the box. The ball appeared to bounce off the Frenchman’s arm and, after a closer look, did not touch any of his teammates before going in. Clattenburg has now had his say, explaining in an interview with Rousing the Kop (watch the incident below):
“There is no doubt that Ibrahima Konate does touch the ball with his arm. While it’s an accidental contact, the laws are clear that the goal must be cancelled and handball should be punished if the ball goes into the goal without it being touched by a teammate.”
Rules Expert Also Casts Verdict As New Footage Helps Answer Questions
Dale Johnson, a VAR expert for the BBC, also highlighted on X that, while Konate’s goal was disallowed through handball, the footage reviewed by VAR that wasn’t made too clear to viewers at home appeared to show the Frenchman touched the ball twice, which eliminates much of the controversy in the fallout. He explained (see his post below):
“Ok, so the VAR is saying that the ball hit Konate’s arm twice. Firstly from the corner delivery, and then after the ball came off Van Dijk’s heel. If that is the case, it would make it Konate’s goal, and correct to rule out Liverpool’s goal without an on-field review.”
This comes after Johnson initially believed the goal had gone down as an own goal from the Galatasaray goalkeeper, which would have raised more questions about the legitimacy of VAR’s decision.