Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) has confirmed that VAR official Lee Mason has left the organisation after a potentially season-defining mistake in Arsenal's draw against Brentford.
Mason caused widespread controversy last weekend when failing to spot an offside in the build-up to Brentford's equaliser at the Emirates. Bees midfielder Christian Nørgaard appeared to have been offside before setting up Ivan Toney, with reports later that Saturday evening that the VAR official 'forgot' to draw the lines.
The mistake could have a huge impact on the title race, with the points dropped allowing Manchester City to close the gap and eventually leapfrog Arsenal during the week. Mason had not been selected for VAR this weekend, with the PGMOL confirming on Friday evening that the 51-year-old had left by mutual consent.
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A statement posted by PGMOL read: “PGMOL can confirm that Video Assistant Referee Lee Mason has departed the organisation by mutual consent.
“Lee was a Premier League referee for 15 years and oversaw 287 top flight matches during that time, with his last coming during the closing stages of the 2021-22 season. His full career in the professional game saw the 51-year-old officiate in over 500 fixtures after he progressed to the Football League in 1998.
“We would like to thank Lee for his dedicated service to the professional game and wish him all the best for the future.”
Mason's mistake was one of several in a weekend filled with controversy. Brighton had what would have been a winner in the game against Crystal Palace ruled out after VAR referee John Brooks used the wrong defender as a reference point for an offside call. Chelsea may have also counted themselves unfortunate not to have had a late penalty after West Ham's Tomas Soucek appeared to handle the ball.
Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb was compelled to personally apologise to both Arsenal and Brighton before calling a meeting of officials at Stockley Park during the week.
Two dropped points for Arsenal allowed City a chance to leapfrog them into top spot, an invitation they duly took by beating the Gunners 3-1 on Wednesday.
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