Every week, the video assistant referee (VAR) makes headlines in the Premier League and during exciting Champions League matches, prompting discussions on how decisions are made and their accuracy.
This season, we’re analyzing key incidents to clarify the VAR process and the corresponding Laws of the Game.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref), a former Select Group referee, has over 12 seasons of experience in the Premier League and Championship. With his extensive background, he provides valuable insights into the VAR procedures and the reasoning behind decisions made on matchdays.
Referee: Halil Umut Meler
VAR: Rob Dieperink
Time: 86 minutes
Incident: Penalty awarded to Arsenal
What happened: During the match, Bayer Leverkusen’s Malik Tillman challenged Arsenal’s Noni Madueke in the penalty area, leading the referee to award a penalty after Madueke fell to the ground.
VAR decision: The VAR, Dieperink, reviewed the challenge and confirmed the on-field penalty decision. He examined the replays and determined that the challenge distracted Madueke enough, with Tillman’s foot making contact with the back of the Arsenal player’s foot during the incident.
Verdict / Insight: I believe the referee’s on-field decision was questionable and could have warranted VAR intervention. However, Tillman’s approach was risky; by not contacting the ball and challenging from behind, he increased the likelihood of a foul.
Observations in Madueke’s actions suggest he might have been attempting to draw a penalty rather than legitimately being fouled. His initial contact with Tillman occurred when he kicked Tillman’s foot, and his body positioning hints he was trying to exploit the situation when he realized Tillman was off-balance. Furthermore, the way Madueke fell appeared to be a calculated move that had little to do with the initial contact.
The duration of VAR’s review suggests some uncertainty. Yet, by endorsing the initial decision, it indicates insufficient evidence existed to declare an obvious error warranting a review.