VAR has been in the spotlight this week, following a weekend of controversy. And although Nottingham Forest were not directly affected on this occasion, a report has suggested how they can have plenty of cause for complaint when it comes to the technology.
Errors made in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford and Crystal Palace’s stalemate with Brighton and Hove Albion had significant consequences. VAR Lee Mason failed to spot an offside in the build-up to the Bees’ equaliser at the Emirates Stadium, while Brighton wrongly had a goal disallowed when the offside lines were drawn against the wrong defender.
The mistakes prompted Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited, to contact the Gunners and the Seagulls to acknowledge and explain them. Webb then called a meeting of all Premier League officials at Stockley Park in the wake of the incidents as he sought to identify what went wrong. Mason has not been selected for VAR duty for the next round of Premier League fixtures.
