The video assistant referee (VAR) is at the center of controversy week in and week out, whether in the Premier League, Champions League, or FA Cup. This season, we scrutinize key incidents to clarify how decisions are made, assessing both VAR protocols and the applicable Laws of the Game.
Andy Davies (@andydaviesref) is a former Select Group referee with over 12 years of experience officiating at the highest levels of the Premier League and Championship. His extensive background in elite football and familiarity with VAR processes offers a unique perspective on the rationale and protocols that govern a Premier League matchday.
Referee: Maurizio Mariani
VAR: Marco Di Bello
Time: 64 minutes
Incident: VAR penalty reversal.
Incident Description: Referee Mariani initially awarded a penalty after PSG defender Willian Pacho appeared to collide with Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool believes they’ve secured a penalty, but referee Maurizio Mariani revokes it after reviewing the monitor 📺❌ pic.twitter.com/njo901ILRw
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 14, 2026
VAR Review: Upon reviewing the video footage, the VAR determined that there was insufficient evidence to support a foul by Pacho and concluded that any contact leading to Mac Allister falling was instigated by the Liverpool midfielder. Following this assessment, VAR advised an on-field review to consider overturning the penalty call. However, viewers were left puzzled when a shot of the incorrect penalty area was broadcast as Mariani went to the monitor. Instead of seeing a slow-motion replay of the incident, they observed an empty 18-yard box at the opposite end.
Fortunately, this appeared to be a broadcasting mistake, as Mariani successfully reviewed the incident and decided to rescind his initial call.
Credit: Sky Sports
Final Verdict: In my view, VAR’s intervention was warranted, and the penalty was rightly overturned. While Mariani initially perceived a foul by Pacho, the replays clarified that Mac Allister was the one who made contact by pushing his leg into the PSG defender in an attempt to draw a foul. For a penalty to be justified, there must be a clear infringement by the defender, and the evidence showed that Pacho merely held his ground and did not challenge for the ball. Although some debate ensued regarding whether this constituted a “clear and obvious” error, I believe the correct outcome was achieved, despite the discontent from Liverpool and their fans.