The Premier League has released the full VAR audio surrounding Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal against Manchester City, following Liverpool’s formal complaint over the decision.
Earlier this week, Liverpool approached PGMOL—the organization overseeing referees in English professional football—questioning the ruling on Van Dijk’s first-half header during their 3-0 loss to City. The goal was ruled out after Andy Robertson was deemed to have interfered with play. Liverpool, however, argue the goal should have stood, insisting Robertson did not obstruct goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, having instinctively ducked out of the ball’s path. The club also claims the VAR review did not follow standard procedures.
On Tuesday, the incident was featured on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show, which included audio exchanges between referee Chris Kavanagh, assistant Stuart Burt, and VAR officials Michael Oliver and Tim Wood.
PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer Howard Webb defended the decision, explaining the reasoning behind it:
“As the ball approached Robertson, just three yards from goal inside the six-yard box, he clearly ducked under it. Officials then had to judge whether that action impacted the goalkeeper’s ability to save. It’s subjective, but given how close Robertson was to Donnarumma and the trajectory of the ball, they concluded it did affect him.”
Webb added that VAR’s role was only to determine whether the on-field decision was “clearly and obviously wrong,” noting that only Donnarumma truly knows if he was affected.
In the audio, assistant referee Stuart Burt stated: “Robertson’s in the line of vision, right in front of the keeper. He’s ducked under the ball. He’s very close; I think the keeper’s been impacted.”
Kavanagh then confirmed: “Ok, so offside then.” VAR officials Oliver and Wood agreed, concluding that Robertson’s position and movement directly in front of Donnarumma justified the disallowance.
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